ffl  1070* 
/  Bnv 

H55 


I 


CORRESPONDENCE 


BETWEEN    THE 


\Ul'  DEPlMlffl  m  GENERAL  LOFELL,  ' 


HELATING    TO    TH8 


DEFENCES  OF  NEW  ORLEANS. 


SUBMITTED  IN  RESPONSE  TO  A  RESOLUTION 
^*  ■  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES 

TASSED  THIRD  FEBRUARY,  1863. 


RICHMOND: 

R.  M.  SMITH,  PUBLIC  PRINTER. 
1863. 


■^H55 


MESSAGE  OF  THE  PRESIDENT. 


Richmond..  Va.,  March  11,  1863. 

To  the   JTouse   of   Representatives  : 

In  response  to  your  resolution  of  the  third  ult.,  I  herewith  trans- 
mit for  your  information  a  copy  of  my  correspondence,  together  vrith 
that  of  the  Secretaries  of  War  and  of  the  Navy,  with  the  Governor  of 
Louisiana,  and  with  Major  General  Lovell,  during  the  period  begin- 
ning October  25,  18G1,  and  ending  with  the  date  of  the  capture  of  the 
city  of  New  Orleans,  in  reference  to  the  defences  of  that  city. 

JEFFERSON  DAVIS, 


4-31  i»/0 


COMMUNICATION  FROM   THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR. 


Confederate  States  of  America,  ^ 

War  Department,  •    V 

Richmond,  Ya.,  Feb.  27,  1863.  ) 

To  ifie  President  of  the  Co?ifederate  States  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit,  under  a  resolution  of  the  House 
of  Representatives,  copies  of  the  correspondence  between  Major 
General  Lovell  and  the  War  Department  in  reference  to  the  defence 
of  New  Orleans,  from  the  25tk  October,  1861,  to  the  date  of  the  sur- 
render of  that  city ;  also,  copies  of  the  correspondence  on  file  in  this 
department,  between  the  President  and  Secretary  of  War,  and  the 
Governor  of  Louisiana,  on  the  same  subject.  A  copy  of  General 
Lovell's  report  has  been,  already,  submitted  to  Congress.  It  is  be- 
lieved that  all  the  correspondence,  pertinent  to  the  subject,  is  embraced 
in  the  volume  now  placed  before   you. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JAMES  A.  SEDDON, 

Secretary  of  War. 


[COPY.J 

C.  S.  A.  Executive  Department,       j> 
Richmond,  Va.,  Feb.  4,  1SG3.  \ 

To  the  Hon.  Secretary  of  War : 

Sir  :  I  am  directed  by  the  President  to  for'-vard  for  your  attention 
and  the  proper  action,  the  following  resolution  of  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives of  the  3d  instant : 

"  Resolved  by  the  House  of  Representatives,  That  the  President  be 
requested  to  furnish  this  body,  if  not  incompatible  with  the  public 
interests,  with  copies  of  the  correspondence  between  Major  General 
Lovell  and  the  War  Department,  in  reference  to  the  defences  of  New 
Orleans,  from  the  25th  October,  1861,  to  the  date  of  the  surrender  of 
that  city  ;  also,  copies  of  all  correspondence  between  the  President  or 
Secretaries  of  War  and  Navy,  and  the  Governor  of  Louisiana  on  the 
same  subject." 

Your  obedient  servant. 

.  (Signed)  BURTON  N.  HARRISON, 

Private  Secretary. 


Confederate  Sta'tf.s  of  America,  ) 

Navy   Department,       \ 

Richmond,  Va.,  Feb.  9,  1863.  ) 

The  Preside.nt  : 

Sir  :  In  response  to  the  following  resolution  adopted  by  the  House 
of  Representatives,  on  the  third  instant : 

"  Resolved  by  the  House  of  Representatives,  That  the  President  be  re- 
quested to  fumish  this  body,  if  not  incompatible  with  the  public 
interests,  with  copies  of  the  correspondence  between  Major  General 
Lovell  and  the  War  Department,  in  reference  to  the  defences  of  New 
Orleans,  from  the  25th  October,  1861,  to  the  date  of  the  surrender  of 
that  city  ;  also,  copies  of  all  correscondence  between  the  President  or 
Secretaries  of  War  and  Navy,  and  the  Governor  of  Louisiana  on  the 
same  subject."  , 

I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  this  department  had  no  correspondence 
with  the  Governor  of  Louisiana  in  reference  to  the  defences  of  New 
Orleans,  from  the  25th  of  October,  1861,  to  the  date  of  the  surrender 
of  that  city. 


H-l^LIO 


I  transmit,  however,  copy  of  a  letter  addressed  to  the  Governor  of 
Louisiana,  on  the  18th  of  September,  1861,  by  the  department  to 
■which  no  reply  was  received.  .  ' 

With  much  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  R.  MALLORY, 
Secretary  of  the  Navy 


COllPtESrONDENCE. 


(No.  1.) 

Richmond,  Va.,  October  Hth,  1861. 
Gen.  M.  Lovell: 

Sir:  I  am  induced  by  the  impi'ession  made  on  the  mind  of  the  Sec- 
retary of  War,  in  a  conversation  which  you  had  witli  him  just  before 
your  departure,  to  write  to  you  on  the  subject  of  your  relations  to 
the  officers  of  the  navy.  When  you  mentioned  the  subject  to  me,  I 
supposed  you  referred  to  the  case  provided  -for  in  the  61st  and  62d 
Articles  of  War,  as  enacted  by  the  Congress  of  the  Confederate  States. 
Therefore,  it  was  that  I  read  and  commented  on  those  articles,  parti- 
cularly the  62d.  The  fleet  maintained  at  the  port  of  New  Orleans 
and  its  vicinity  is  not  a  part  of  your  command ;  and  the  purposes  for 
which  it  is  sent  there  or  removed  from  there  are  communicated  in  or- 
ders and  letters  of  a  department  with  v/hich  you  have  no  direct  com- 
munication. It  must,  therefore,  be  obvious  to  you  that  you  could  not 
assume  command  of  these  officers  and  vessels  coming  within  the  limits 
of  your  geographical  department,  but  not  pliced  on  duty  with  you, 
without  serious  detriment  to  discipline  and  probable  injury  to  the 
publiQ  service. 

To  promote  harmony,  to  secure  co-operation  and  increase  the  power 
for  public  defence,  it  will  often  be  desirable  that  each  arm  should 
know  the  objects  and  means  of  the  other;  to  this  end,  it  is  hoped  that 
there  will  be  unrestrained  intercourse  and  cordial  fraternization. 
Very  respectfully,  yours,    , 

(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS, 

A  true  copy. 

G.  W.  CusTis  Lee,  A.  D.  C. 


(No.  2.) 

IIeabquarters  Dkfartmknt  No.  ],) 
New  Orleans,  Oct.  18th,  1861,      j 
Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin, 

Acting  Secretary  of  War  : 
Sir:  As  this  city,  the  first  in  importance  in  the  Confederacy,  has 
been  greatly  drained  of  arms,  ammunition,  medical  stores,  clothing 


8 

and  supplies  for  other  points,  I  would  respectfully  suggest  that  the 
heads  of  bureaux  b^  requested  to  order  nothing  further  of  that  de- 
scription to  be  forwarded  from  here  until  we  hive  provided  ourselves 
with  a  fair  supply  for  the  force  required  for  the  defence  of  this  city. 
Anything  that,  in  my  judgment,  could  be  spared  I  would  readily  send 
forward,  but  it  will  require  great  exertions  to  put  ourselves  in  a  proper 
state  of  defence,  and  nothing  should  be  divided  from  that  purpose  un- 
til the  object  is  attained. 

The  actual  state  of  preparation  I  shall  not  put  on  paper. 

When  companies  or  regiments,  enlisted  for  twelve  months,  have 
been  in  service  under  State  authority  for  a  portion  of  the  time  and 
are  then  transferred  to  the  Confederate  service,  persistent  objection  is 
made  in  some  instances  to  being  mustered  for  a  longer  period  than 
the  balance  of  the  original  twelve  months.  Most  of  these  have  fully 
nine  months  to  serve,  and  as  the  fate  of  New  Orleans  for  this  season, 
must  be  settled  within  that  time,  I  shall  not  stand  upon  that  point, 
unless  you  direct  me  by  telegraph  to  do  so. 

I  am  greatly  in  need  of  two  things,  viz :  an  assistant  adjutant  gen- 
eral, acquainted  with  the  details  of  office  matters,  forms,  &c.,  who  can 
iixstruct  the  volunteers  and  keep  the  records  in  such  shape  that  claims 
may  be  settled  at  some  indefinite  future  period;  and  some  saltpetre 
for  the  manufacture  of  powder. 

While  the  first  would  greatly  facilitate  matters  hero,  it  is  not  indis- 
pensable— the  latter  is. 

We  are  daily  expecting  funds,  without  which  we  cannot  get  on  a 
great  while. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

M.  LpVELL,      ^ 
Major  General  Commanding. 


(No.  3.) 

New  Orleans,  October  33,  1861. 
Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin  : 

Is  it  impossible  to  give    us   powder  or   saltpetre,  in  quantity,  im- 
mediately. 

M.  LOVELL. 


(No.  4.) 

RrcHMOND,  October  23,  1861. 
Gen.  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans : 

We  calculate  that  we  have  sent  in  powder  and  saltpetre  to  New 
Orleans,  within  the  last  month,  the  equivalent  of  five  hundred  barrels 
of  powder,  to  be  added  to  the  stock  previously  on  hand.     We  can 


spare  no  more  at  present  -without  urgent  necessity.     Telegraph  me 
what  your  whole  supply  is. 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 
Acting  Secretary  of  War 


A 


(No.  5.) 

CoNFFnERATE  StATES  OF  AmERIOA, 

Headquarters,  Department  No,  1 , 
New  Orleans,  Oct.  25,  1861 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Acting  Secretary  of  War  : 

Dear  sir:  I  have  received  your  telegram  relative  to  the  amount  of 
powder  and  saltpetre  sent  to  this  point,  within  the  past  month;  but 
think  it  hardly  advisable  to  make  known  our  deficiency  through  the 
telegrapli  office. 

Your  dispatch  says  that  "  the  equivalent  of  five  hundred  barrels  of 
powder  has  been  sent  here  within  a  month."  I  find  no  correct  re- 
turns of  ordnance  and  ordnance  stores  from  the  various  posts  ;  but 
have  sent  a  circular  calling  for  them,  and  am  getting  them  in.  I 
know  that  the  Acting  Ordinance  Officei:  has  several  invoices  of  pow- 
der, which  have  not  yet  come  t^  hand.  Admit,  however,  that  we 
have  five  hundred  barrels.  We  have  now  at  the  various  forts  and 
approaches,  two  hundred  and  ten  guns  in  position,  and  about  one 
hundred  more  that  wo  shall  soon  have  in  place;  giving  in  all,  three 
hundred  and  ten  guns,  of  the  caliber  of  a  twenty-four  pounder,  and 
upwards.  The  average  charge,  large  and  small,  will  be  eight  pounds 
for  each  gun,  or  two  thousand  four  hundred  and  eighty  pounds  for  a 
single  piece.  Five  hundred  barrels  contain  fifty  thousand  pound*, 
Avhich  would  give  us  twenty  rounds  per  gun  ;  not  more  than  enough 
for  an  hour's  fight.  But  the  powder  received  from  Memphis  wa.s 
quite  worthless,  more  than  thirty  barrels  invoiced  to  us  have  not 
arrived,  and  we  loaned  Com.  Hollins-the  powder  with  Avhich  he  made 
his  attack  upon  the  vessels  above  the  passes,  a  few  days  since.  We 
have,  therefore,  less  than  twenty  rounds  per  gun.  I  am  hurrying 
into  operation  two  mills  which  will  give  us  six  or  eight  thousand  bar- 
rels per  day,  if  we  can  get  saltpetre  ;  and  have  sent  an  agent  to  con- 
tract for  working  some  of  the  idle  salt  petre  caves  in  the  adjoining 
States.     Of  sulphur  and  charcoal  we  we  have  a  supply. 

The  want  of  powder  is  our  onl}'-  glaring  deficiency.  I  do  not  allow 
an  ounce  to  be  burnt  unnecessarily,  and  am  straining  every  nerve  to 
add  to  our  supply. 

If  I  can    get  saltpetre  and    the  enemy  will  give    us  a   few   weeks, 
which  I  think  he  will  do,  we    shall  be   pretty  well   prepared   to  defeat 
him.     AVith  one  hundred  rounds  per  gun,  I  should  feel  pretty  safe. 
Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

M.  LOVELL, 
3faj.  GeneYal  Commanding. 


10 

(No.  6.) 

New  Orleans,  October  26,  1861. 
Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin: 

Your  dispatch  about  powder  received;  will  answer  fully  bv  mail. 

M.  LOVELL. 


(No.  7.) 

C.  S.  A.,  War  Department,  ) 
Richmond,  Oct.  29,  1861.      5 

Sir:  Your  letter  of  the  18th  inst.,  was  not  received  till  yesterday, 
28th.  I  telegraphed  you  to-day  that  we  have  no  power  to  receive 
troops  for  less  than  twelve  months.  But  where  troops  offer  themselves 
specially  for  local  defence,  they  may  be  accepted  in  any  proportion 
and  for  any  term,  as  they  arc  a  mere  improved  militia,  not  entitled  to 
pay  or  subsistence  except  during  actual  service.  See  act  of  21st  Au- 
gust No.  229,  of  3d  session. 

I  cannot  restrain  the  heads  of  bureaux  from  purchasing  or  forward- 
ing supplies  from  New  Orleans.  This  interference  with  commerce 
exceeds  my  power,  except  in  case  of  extreme  urgency.  I  much  pre- 
fer that  you  should  make  requisition  for  everything  in  the  way  of 
supply  that  you  need,  and  have  your  purchases  made  in  New  Orleans ; 
and  thus  it  is  easy  to  prevent  the  removal  from  the  city  of  what  is 
required  for  its  defence  Avithout  infringing  on  the  rights  of  any  one. 

I  anxiously  await  your  letter  about  the  supply  of  powder  and  salt- 
peter. I  cannot  conceive  what  has  become  of  the  qu  mtity  recently 
sent  to  New  Orleans,  say  within  the  last  six  weeks.  I  hope  your  de- 
mand for  supply  was  based  on  erroneous  information  from  persons 
who  did  not  know  the  facts, 

I  have  ordered  a  young  oiScer  said  to  be  of  high  merit,  as  an  engi- 
neer, to  report  to  you,  (1st  Lieut.  Cunningham,)  just  appointed  in 
artillery,  with  a  view  to  assign  him  to  engineer  corps,  if  he  proves  as 
competent  as  represented. 

I  am  much  gratified  to  learn,  from  different  sources,  that  you  have 
succeeded  in  inspiring  general  confidence  in  New  Orleans,  thereby 
justifying  the  confidence  reposed  by  the  Government  in  yourself. 
Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 
Acting  Secrttary  of  War. 

Maj.  Gen.  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans. 


(No.  8.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ^ 

Headquarters  Departme?it  No.  1,  > 

New  Orleans,  3 l^t  October,  1861.  > 
His  Excellency,  President  Davis  : 

Dear  Sir  :  The  works  for  the  defence  of  this  city  are  progressing 
rapidly,  and  I  think  in  a  couple  of  weeks  we  can  defeat  any  force  that 


n 

shall  attempt  invasion,  if  we  can  provide  ourselves  with  po^vder.  I 
have  now  one  mill  in  operation  which  will  turn  out  twelve  hundred 
pounds  per  day,  another  which  can  make  fifteen,  hundred,  and  in  two 
weeks  hope  to  have  a  third  in  full  blast,  which  will  make  three  thou- 
sand or  three  thousand  five  hundred  pounds  per  day.  I  have  your 
dispatch  about  saltpetre,  and  am  looking  for  it  daily,  but  we  ought  to 
have  today  fifty  tons  of  cannon  powder  on  hand,  besides  what  we  can 
make.  My  letter  to  Mr.  Benjamin,  of  the  2  jth  instant,  Avill  give  you 
an  idea  of  what  we  require  to  serve  our  guns.  I  think  we  can  fix  the 
raft  between  forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip  so  as  to  make  a  complete 
obstruction  under  the  fire  of  those  works.  I  send  you  enclosed  a 
sketch  of  the  works  and  raft,  the  dotted  black  lines  above  the  latter, 
running  diagonally  to  St.  Pliilip,  represent  an  arrangement  which  I 
propose  to  shed  the  drift  over  towards  the  opening  in  the  raft  on  the 
Fort  Jackson  shore. 

With  your  pern  ission  I  will  urge  strongly  upon  you  the  appoint- 
ment of  Col  J,  K.  Duncan  as  a  brigadier  general  ;  he  is  worth  a 
dozen  of  Ruggles,  and  has  rendered  most  efficient  service  with  a  zeal, 
untiring  in'lustry  and  ability  which  entitle  him  to  your  high  consid- 
eration. Had  he  more  rank  he  could  be  of  great  assistance  to  me  in- 
organizing  and  giving  directions,  and  I  can  assure  you  that  help  would 
not  be  unacceptable,  as  I  have  to  keep  driving  all  day,  and  frequently 
the  larger  part  of  the  night.  If  you  have  serious  objections  I  will 
not  press  it,  but  the  public  service  would  be  advanced  by  giving  him. 
rank  enough  to  direct,  and  if  necessary  order,  the  colonels  of  volun- 
teer regiments  in  this  department,  who  require  a  great  deal  of  diy- 
nursing.  General  Bragg  consents  to  the  removal  of  Major  Lovcll  to 
service  here.  I  have  two  armed  boats  which  ho  could  use  to  material 
advantage  on  the  coast  of  INlississippi,  where  I  am  sorry  to  say  are 
many  disaffected  persons  who  Avill  communicate  with  the  enemy  at 
every  opportunity. 

I  receive  every  assistance  here,  except  from  some  of  the  speculators, 
who  endeavor  to  secure  matei  ials  that  the  government  must  have. 
The  first  operation  1  can  fix  upon  them  I  shall  publish  their  names  to 
the  community. 

I  am  inclined  to  think  that  the  attack  on  this  coast  will  be  on  Mo- 
bile from  East  Pascagoula  by  land,  with  a  strong  demonstration  by. 
water.     Is  that  city  defended  by  intrenchments  on  the  hwid  side  ? 

Ilespectfully,  your  obed"t  serv't, 
(Signed,)  M.  LOVELL.. 


(No.  9.) 

New  Orleans.  Nov.  4,  1861. 
lion.  J.  P.  Bf.njamin  : 

Will  the   Secretary  of  the  Treasury  allow   us   to  use  the  marino 
hospital  for  military  purposes  ?     ^hall  I  recognize  foreign  consuls  ? 

M.  LOVELL. 


12 

(No.  10.) 

11ichj:ond,  Nov.  4,  1861. 
General  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans. : 

Foreign  consuls  are  recognized  by  our  government  in  all  commer- 
cial matters.  What  kind  of  military  use  do  you  propose  to  make  of 
the  marine  hospital  ?  Answer  and  I  will  apply  to  Secretary  of  Trea- 
sury. I  ordered  ten  tons  of  saltpetre  sent  to  you  by  express  from 
Augusta  Arsenal. 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Acting  Secretary  of  War, 


(No.  11.) 

Richmond,  Nov.  6th,  1861. 
General  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans : 

Secretary  of  Treasury  says  you  may  have  hospitaHf  the  collector 
has  not  made  a  different  disposal  of  it  by  contract.  See  Hatch  and 
show  him  this  dispatch. 

(Signed,)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Acting  Secretary  of  War. 


[No.  12.] 

Confederate  States  of  America.  ^ 

Headquarters  Department  No.  1,       n 

New  Orleans,  Nov.  8,  1861.  ) 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War  : 

Dear  Sir  :  Governor  Moore  has  just  handed  me  your  dispatch  of 
to-day  relative  to  saltpetre.* 

The  amount  named  therein  (24  tons,)  will  all  have  been  received 
when  the  lU  tons,  now  on  their  way  from  Augusta,  shall  arrive.  The 
acting  ordnance  officer.  Captain  Rawle,  informs  me  that  he  has  not 
yet  ackaowledged  the  receipt  of  the  14  tons  already  received,  because 

[■■■■COPY  OF  DISPATCH  xVBOVE  REFKRHED  TO.] 

"RiCHMDXD,  Nov.  8,  ISOl. 
■  '  Got.  Thomas  0.  Moore,  N'ov  Orhans-: 

"  It  is  impossible  for  me  to  comi.rehend  what  has   ]?ec  ina  of  the  saltpetre  sent  to  New  Or- 
leans. 

"  I  have  sent  twenty-four  tons,  and  cannot  learn  that  one  pound  has  been  received,  or  one 
poHnrl  of  powder  made.  On  the  26th  September  three  tons  were  sent  by  freight  train.  On  the 
27th  September  one  ton  waa  sent  by  express.  On  the  1st  October  three  tons  were  sent  by  ex- 
press. On  the  2d  October  seven  tons  were  sent  by  express.  On  2d  November  ten  tons  were 
seacbr  express.  All  this  was  sent  from  Aiiguf'ta,  and  I  cannot  get  the  acknow'cdgment 
Jhat  one  poind  was  ever  received,  you  now  say  you  have  not  one  ounce. 
"  This  mystery  must  be  explained  before  I  can  send  any  more. 

'  (Signed)      ■  '  J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

"  Acting  Sccretavy  of  War.  " 


13 

he  has  had  no  invoices  with  the  greater  part  of  it,  and  does  not  know 
from  whom  it  came. 

The  onljr  invoice  we  have  from  Augusta,  is  that  for  10  tons,  now  on 
the  way.  Every  pound  we  have  on  hand  is  being  made  up  into  pow- 
der, but  a  good  deal  of  it  is  so  mixed  with  foreign  matter  that  it  does 
not  give  more  than  pound  for  pound  of  powder.  But  when  all  made 
up,  it  will  only  make  about  50,000  lbs.  which,  when  distributed,  will 
give  us  about  20  rounds  per  gun  as  fully  explained  in  my  letter  to  you 
of  25th  ultimo. 

We  have  a  battery  of  1  ght  artillery  here,  raised  by  order  of  Gen. 
Twiggs,  composed  of  Confederate  recruits  under  Captain  Higgins, 
with  a  c  )mpliment  of  4  horses  to  each  gun  and  caisson.  He  applies 
to  me  for  a  farrier,  which  I  consider  necessary  and  a  judicious  econ- 
omy, but  find  no  legal  authority  for  erilploying  one.  I  am  satisfied 
that  a  good  farrier  would  more  than  pay  for  himself,  especially  here 
wherj  the  price  of  horses  is  so  high.  Will  you  authorize  his  employ- 
ment ? 

I  have  been  requested  to  ask  your  attention  to  the  case  of  Dr.  S. 
Burke,  now  on  duty  at  Fort  Jackson.  He  was  the  surgeon  on 
duty  with  the  Louisiana  regiment  of  artillery,  when  it  was  mus- 
tered into  the  Confederate  service  on  1st  June,  but,  by  some 
oversight  on  the  part  of  the  mustering  officer,  he  was  not  transferred. 
He  nevertheless  remained  at  his  post  on  severe  duty  from  that  time  up 
to  21st  September,  when  he  received  his  commission.  This  he  hesitates 
to  accept  as  he  thereby  loses  nearly  4  months  rank  and  pay,  and  one  of 
his  juniors  take  precedence  of  him.  He  asks  that  his  appointment 
may  date  1st  June,  the  day  of  transfer  of  the  regiment  which  he  has 
been  serving  since  its  entry  into  service.  His  zeal  and  attention  to 
duty  are  highly  spoken  oft'  by  his  commander,  Col.  Duncan,  who  inter- 
cedes for  him  in  this  act  of  justice. 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  printed  circu- 
lar of  instructions,  as  also  of  your  letter  of  29th  ult.  I  have  to  thank 
you  for  the  expression  of  confidence  therein  contained,  and  shall  do 
my  utmost  to  prove  that  the  administration  has  made  no  mistake  in 
my  case.  We  are  progressing  rapidly  towards  a  good  state  of  de- 
fence. The  interior  line  of  works  will  soon  be  complete  and  the  guns 
mounted.  I  have  incre'ased  the  armament  of  forts  Pike  and  Macomb 
by  4  forty-two's  each,  and  have  sent  12  to  Col.  Duncan  for  the  forts 
below.  I  think  we  shall  make  a  complete  obstruction  of  the  raft, 
(see  the  sketch  I  sent  the  President,)  and  if  we  stop  the  enemy's  ships 
we  can  hammer  him  to  pieces,  {if  the  powder  holds  out  ) 

I  have  sent  1,000  men  to  Berwick's  Bay,  and  have  called  for  4 
companies  of  mounted  men  (local  defence  men,)  from  St.  Mary's  parish^ 
mainly  to  show  themselves  occasionally  among  the  negroes. 
Respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

M.  LOVELL, 
Major  General  Commanding.. 


14 

(No.  13.) 

C.  S.  A.,  War  Department, 
Richmond,  Nov.  17,  1861. 

Major  General  M.  Lovell, 

New  Orleans: 

Dear  Sir  :  I  have  your  letter  of  8th  instajit,  and  am  happy  to 
learn  that  the  saltpetre  has  been  received  in  New  Orleans.  I  beg 
your  special  attention  to  the  manufacture,  as  from  imperfect  refining 
of  the  saltpetre,  much  of  the  powder  made  at  different  points  absorbs 
moisture  so  rapidly  as  quickly  to  become  worthless.  Our  supply  of 
powder,  and  of  material  for  its  manufacture  is  so  small,  that  it  would 
be  really  a  calaaity  to  exhaust  our  material,  and  find  the  powder 
valueless. 

I  received  your  former  letter  in  regard  to  the  quantity  of  powder 
required  in  your  department,  and  am  anxiously  awaiting  the  promised 
report  of  the  ordnance  stores  on  hand,  for  there  was  of  course  quite 
a  quantity  of  powder  on  hand  before  the  saltpetre  was  sent  I  beg 
you  will  have  made  for  me  as  early  as  possible,  a  complete  official 
return  of  all  "  ordnance  and  ordnance  stores  "  in  your  department, 
as  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  introduce  regularity  into  the  administra- 
tion of  this  department  without  such  returns.  I  always  feel- a  sus- 
picion when  they  are  not  furnished,  that  makes  me  reluctant  to  respond 
to  requisitions. 

I  have  also  learned  to  regard  with  great  distrust  the  statements  of 
manufacturers  of  what  they  are  going  to  make.  A  statement  of  the 
actual  results  of  one  week's  work  in  the  powder  mills  in  New  Orleans 
would  be  far  more  satisfactory  than  any  number  of  assurances  of 
prospective  efficiency.  I  see  no  objection  to  your  employing  a  farrier 
if  necessary  for  your  company  of  light  artillery.  The  law,  however, 
does  not  permit  the  enlisling  of  such  an  artificer  to  any  other  than 
cavalry  companies. 

In  regard  to  Dr.  Burke's  case,  I  beg  you  to  inform  him  that  many 
such  cases  exist,  but  I  cannot  remedy  then*  until  I  get  authority  from 
Congress,  which  I  am  now  about  to  ask,  and  hope  to  obtain. 

As  some  additions  have  been  made  to  my  printed  circular,  I 'send 
you  another  copy  as  amended. 

I  am  much  gratified  to  hear  of  your  rapid  progress  in  perfecting 
the  defences  of  New  Orleans,  and  especially  from  different  friends  of 
jour  success  in  inspiring  confidence  amongst  our  people. 
Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 
Acting  Secretary  of  War. 


16 

(No.  14.) 

Confederate  States  of  Amekica,  \ 

Headquarters  Department  No.  1 ,       ^ 
New  Orleans,  La,,  Nov.  19,  13G1.  ) 


Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  * 

Secretary  of  War*. 

Dear  Sir  :  Since  my  last  communication,  we  have  steadily  pro- 
gressed in  our  preparations  for  defence  ;  six  tons  of  powder  iiave  been 
made  and  distributed  to  the  various  works  in  due  proportion.  I  have 
increased  the  armancnt  of  Fort  Pike  by  4  42-pounders,  Fort  Macomb 
with  5  42's  and  1  S-inch  shell  gun,  Fort  Livingston  with  1  S-inch 
Columbiad,  and  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip  with  6  42-pounders  each. 
The  raft  in  the  river  between  the  last  named  forts  has  been  further 
secured  by  four  anchors,  of  three  hundred  pounds  each,  and  fastened 
by  heavy  chains  to  either  shore,  and  I  think  will  stop  a  fleet  under  the 
close  fire  of  more  than  one  hundred  heavy  guns,  (with  Commodore 
Hollins  assistance  about  one  hundred  and  fifty).  Feeling  satisfied 
that  ships  under  steam  can  pass  forts  in  an  open  channel,  I  am  taking 
prompt  measures  to  obstruct  the  passage  at  Forts  Pike  and  Macomb, 
at  Berwicks  Bay,  and  in  the  Mississippi  above  the  city,  at  a  point 
where  I  shall  concentrate  the  fire  of  fifty  guns  of  heavy  calibre.  I 
have  ordered  the  marine  hospital  to  be  fitted  up  for  army  use,  by  the 
quartermaster.  On  enquiry,  I  found  that  we  could  not  rent  a  hospital 
for  less  than  three  thousand  dollars  per  annum,  and  it  would  cost  half 
as  much  more  to  fit  it  up.  Besides  this,  we  have  three  or  four  build- 
ings for  ordnance  stores.  The  sum  of  these  rents  laid  out  on  the 
hospital  will  enable  it  to  answer  all  purposes,  and  the  improvements 
will  belong  to  the  government.     Nothing  will  be  lost  in  rent. 

We  shall  have  in  operation  in  a  few  days  three  powder  mills,  two 
of  which  are  private  property,  and  one  belongs  to  the  city.  They  will 
turn  out  more  than  three  tons  per  day.  The  powder  is  proved  and 
rejected  if  much  under  range.  We  will  Avant  all  the  saltpetre  that 
can  be  had ;  as  we  will  be  able  to  work  up  about  three  tons  a  day. 
Permit  me  to  call  your  attention  to  the  necessity  of  a  telegraph  line 
between  Meridian  and  Mobile,  also  between  Meridian  and  Montgom- 
ery. The  line  hence  to  Mobile  runs  along  the  coast,  and  can  be  cut 
at  any  time  by  a  force  from  the  enemy's  fleet,  to  say  nothing  of  the 
largely  disaff'octed  population  on  the  Southern  coast  of  Mississippi.  I 
enclose  you  a  letter  received  from  Mr.  Douglas  on  this  subject.  It 
requires  immediate  attention. 

General  Pillow  telegraphed  me  to  send  hira  five  thousand  men  to 
Columbus.  This  I  declined,  as  I  have  no  more  than  are  necessary  for 
the  defence  of  New  Orleans  and  its  approaches.  If  the  river  had 
been  obstructed  above  so  as  to  prevent  a  fleet  from  passing  down,  I 
might  have  felt  justified  in  giving  him  some  assistance  ;  but  I  should 
have  attached  more  weight  to  the  call,  if  it  had  come  from  General 
Jehnstcn. 


16 

'  I  regret  that  I  cannot  have  some  columbiads  and  mortars  in  addition 
to  my  present  armament. 

Some  of  the  detached  companies  transferred  from  the  State  service 
under  General  Twiggs  orders,  have  become  much  reduced  and  disor- 
ganized by  bad  management  and  poor  officers,  and  I  should  ^vish  to 
have  po-^Ncr  to  disband  some  and  consolidate  others,  so  as  to  make  the 
ferce  more  effective  ;  also  authority  (under  your  sanction,)  to  discharge 
men  in  certain  cases  of  hardship,  family  affliction  or  where  they  aro 
required  for  important  work :  as  for  instance,  some  cases  of  widows 
only  sons,  or  where  parents  have  died  since  entry  into  service  or  when 
they  are  Required  in  foundries  or  workshops  where  government  work 
is  being  done.  I  should  exercise  such  authority  very  sparingly,  and 
only  in  cases  where  I  feel  satisfied  you  w'ould  approve. 

Colonel  Preston,  who  was  to  join  my  staff,  has  gone  to  South  Car- 
olina. Am  I  not  entitled  to  two  officers  in  the  Adjutant  and  Inspector 
General's  Department,  one  Lieutenant  Colonel  and  one  Major  ? 

I  have  received  the  appointments  of  Majors  Palpey  and  Lanier. 
General  Ruggles  has  been  sick  since  his  arrival  here,  which,  has 
devolved  all  the  inspection  of  troops  upon  me.  from  Berwick  to  Mis- 
sissippi city.  I  was  in  hopes  that  the  President  would  act  on  my 
request  in  relation  to  Colonel  Duncan. 

Matters,  however,  by  dint  of  incessant  attention  are  progressing 
favorably,  and  I  hope  soon  to  be  able  to  report  myself  as  beyond  the 
chances  of  an  attack. 

Has  your  attention  been  called  to  the  fact  that  the  enemy  can  land 
near  East  Pascagoula,  and  march  twenty-four  miles  over  a  good  road 
into  Mobile  ?  I  understand  that  there  are  no  entrenched  lines  on  the 
land  side  around  that  city,  but  can  hardly  think  it  possible  that  it  has 
not  been  done.  If  so,  it  is  an  easy  road  from  Ship  Island  to  Mobile. 
Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

M.  LOYELL, 
Major  General,  C.  S.  A. 


(No.  15.) 

New  Orleans,  Nov.  20,  1861. 
Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin: 

Do  you  want  any  more  Sulphur  seized  for  the  Government. 

M.  LOVELL, 


(No.  16.) 

Richmond,  Nov.  25,  1861. 
Gen.  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans: 

I  think  it  best  to  avoid  seizure  whenever  possible.     If  you  can  buy 
the  sulphur  at  a  price  not  exceeding  two  hundred  dollars  per^ton,  I 


.  17 

prefer  that  to  seizing  it.  Buy  all  the  nitric  and  sulphuric  acid  you 
can  find  at  any  reasonoble  price.  If  extortion  is  attempted,  seise  it 
and  have  it  valued. 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN. 
Secretary  of  War, 


(No.  17.) 

New  Orleans,  Nov.  27,  1861. 
Hon  J.  P.  Ben.'amin: 

1  have  sent  the  thirteenth  (1 3th)   Louisiana  and  third  (3d)  Missis- 
sippi Regiments — sixteen  hundred  men  to  Columbus, 

M.  LOVELL. 


(No.  13.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  'i 

Headquarters  Departnunt  Nu.  t,       > 

New  Orleans,  La.,  5th  Dec,  136  L  } 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin, 

Secretary  of  War: 

Sir:  I  avail  myself  of  Col.  Davis'  trip  to  Richmond,  to  send  you  a 
map  and  description  which  will  give  you  some  definite  idea  of  the  ex- 
isting condition  of  affairs  in  this  department. 

Commencing  at  Caloasin  Bay,  we  have  one  company  with  tv/o  24- 
pounders,  which  arc  now  being  put  up  and  will  prevent  foraging  par- 
ties from  reaching  the  cattle-grazing  prairies  around  the  head  of  that 
lake.  At  Grand  Chanine  there  is  a  company  of  militia  that  I  am 
furnishing  with  one  six  pounder  gun.  In  St.  Mary's  Parish  there  are 
two  companies  of  infantry  and  one  battery  (at  Franklin.)  I  liave  also 
mustered  one  company  of  cavalry  ^'for  local  defence.'^  T!\ese  troops 
are  also  intended  for  moral  effect  in  that  densely  slave  populated 
section. 

Passing  east  to  Atchapaloga  Bay.  I  have  placed  there  a  regiment 
of  10(10  men,  less  two  companies  at  Franklin,  having  one  company 
each  at  Forts  Berwick  and  Chene,  at  each  of  which  forts  are  mounted 
one  32-pounder  rifled  gun  and  four  24-pounders.  I  have  thus 
strengthened  this  point,  because  the  railroad  which  supplies  us  with 
Texas  cattle,  here  approaches  very  near  to  the  coast,  and  is  accessible 
with  eight  feet  of  water,  I  have  also  ordered  the  main  channel  of  the 
Atchnpalaga  to  be  filled,  by  sinking  live-oak  trees,  leaving  open  an 
intricate  channel  eigl.ty  feet  Viide  for  the  entrance  of  vessels  running 
the  blockade.  Flats  loaded  with  live-oak  will  be  kept  in  rearlincss  to 
sink  in  this  channel  at  a  moment's  warning.  Rafts  are  also  being 
S 


18 

prepared  to  obstruct  the  bajous  under  the  guns  of  Forts  Berwick  and 
Chene, 

We  can  support  tins  point  in  four  hours  by  the  Opelousas  road  by 
troops  from  the  city.  There  is  no  navigable  bayou  until  \ve  reach 
Grand  Caillon,  on  which  I  bave  a  work  with  two  32-pounders  and  two 
full  companies.  The  other  bayous  are  unnavigable  except  Lafourche, 
on  which  I  have  also  located  a  work  with  two  y2's  and  two  cojnpanies 
of  men.  These  works  extend  from  swamp  to  swamp  on  either  side  of 
the  bayous. 

At  Fort  Livingston  are  four  companies  (aboait  300  men.)  -w^th 
one  rifled  32,  one  S-inch  columbiad,  seven  24's  and  two  flank  howit- 
zers (24's)  with  four  12-pounders  on  the  land  side.  Should  this  work 
be  passed,  all  the  inlets  converge  at  the  Little  Temple,  where  a  work 
is  just  finished  where  I  shall  put  two  32's  and  a  hundred  men. 

On  the  Mississippi,  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip  are  in  good  order, 
and  garrisoned  by  ten  companies,  nearly  lUOl)  men.  They  are  armed 
as  follows. 

Fort  Jackson. — Six  42-pounders,  twenty-six  24-pounders,  two  32» 
pounder  rifles,  sixteen  32-pounders,  three  8-inch  columbiads.  one  10- 
inch  columbiad,  one  ten  and  two  8  inch  mortars  with  two  48  and  tea 
24  pounder  howitzers. 

Fort  St.  Philip. — Siz  forty-two  pounders,  nine  thirty-two  pounders, 
twenty-two  twenty-four  pounders,  four  eight  inch  columbiads,  one 
eight  and  one  ten  inch'  mortar,  and  three  field  guns.  Between  the 
forts  the  river  is  completely  obstructed  by  a  raft  of  logs  securely 
chained  to  both  banks  and  held  by  fifteen  large  anchors,  Aveighing  from 
two  thousand  five  hundred  to  four  thousand  pounds  each  ond  laid  in 
twenty-five  fathoms  of  water  with  sixty  fathoms  of  strong  chain. 
This  raft  is  a  complete  obstruction  and  has  an  enfilading  fire  from 
Fort  Jackson  and  a  direct  fire  from  St.  Philip. 

On  the  lake  Borgue  side,  we  have,  first,  a  work  one  mile  back  from 
Pruelorsville  with  six  guns,-  (two  32's  and  four  24's,)  with  one  hun- 
dred men.  They  can  be  rdnforced  from  the  city  by  the  Mexicn  Gulf 
Railroad.  I  have  contracted  for  a  telegraph  line  from  here  to  the 
work,  to  be  paid  for  by  the  city. 

At  Tower  Duprue  there  is  one  large  company,  with  five  twenty-four 
]>ounders.  The  adjoining  bayou  has  been  obstructed  by  piles.  At 
ijnttery  Bienveau  I  have  one  hundred  men  with  ten  24  pounders. 

Fort  Macomb  is  garrisoned  by  three  companies,  (250  men)  and 
armed  with  four  42's,  one  eight  inch  columbiad,  twenty- one  24 
pounders  and  four  flank  howitzers,  (24's.)  The  live-oak  grove  which 
grewVithin  three  hundred  yards  of  the  tort,  and  offered  a  secure  ap- 
proach for  the  enemy  I  have  had  felled  at  a  cost  of  $1000,  of  which 
the  State  paid  half  and  the  City  half. 

Fort  Pike  has  a  garrison  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  men  and  the 
following  armament:  Four  forty-two  pounders,  one  nine  inch  and 
one  eight  inch  gun;  two  thirty- two  pound  rifled  guns;  twenty 
twenty-four  pounders,  -and  five  twenty-four  pound  flank  howitzers. 
I  have  had  logs  cut  and  chains  and  anchors  bought  to  obstruct  the 
channel,  both  at  forts  Macomb  and  Pike.     I  have,  also,  contracted  to 


19        . 

shoal  the  mouths  of  West  and  East  Pearl   river  to  four  feet,  by  sink- 
ing obstructions. 

I  keep  a  regiment  and  a  field  battery  in  advance  at  Bay  St.  Louis 
and  Pass  Christian,  and  have  made  a  depot  of  fifteen  thousand  rations 
at  Ganesvillc,  in  case  they  are  driven  back,  suddenly,  from  the  coast, 
by  a  large  force  of  the  enemy. 

The  foregoing  comprises  the  e.xterior  line,  with  which  I  am  in  com- 
munication, by  telegraph,  to  Berwick's  Bay,  Fort  Jackson,  Fort  ^la- 
comb  and  Fort  Pike.  Instructors  have  been  sent  to  the  various  forts 
requiring  it,  and  the  garrisons  are  all  quite  proficient  in  the  drill  of 
the  sea-coast  gun. 

The  interior  line,  as  you  will  observe  on  the  map,  composes,  with 
the  intervening  swamps,  a  complete,  continious  line  around  ihe  city, 
including  Algiers  within  its  limits.  It  is  almost  entirely  finished. 
Ten  thirty- two  pounders  are  mounted  on  the  line  below  the  barracks 
at  Its  junction  with  the  river,  and  ten  forty-two  pounders  will  soon 
be  up  on  the  opposite  side,  giving  a  cross  fire  of  twenty  guns  at  that 
point,  The  lines  extend  to  the  swamp  on  each  side,  and  have  flank- 
ing arrangements  for  thirty-two  pound  carronades  to  sweep  the  whole- 
point.  Their  development  is  eight  and  a  half  feet,  with  a  wide  ditch 
which  is  filled  with  water.  On  the  Gcntilley  Ridge  the  sftme  kind  of 
work,  with  four  guns ;  on  tlie  Ponchartrain  Railroad,  ftve  guns  ;  the 
canal,  four  guns  ;  the  Bayou  St.  John,  four,  and  the  Jefferson  rail- 
road, two  guns  ;  all  with  flanking  arrangements  for  infantry.  The 
guns  of  these  small  works  will  all  be  mounted  within  ten  days. 

Above  the  city  the  line  extends  from  the  svamp  to  the  river,  with 
flanking  arrangements  for  artillery,  and  terminates  at  the  river  with 
a  powerful  battery  of  fourteen  forty-two  pounders.  At  this  point 
Major  Lovell  is  building  an  obstruction  under  the  fire  of  this  battery, 
which  I  think  will  prevent  any  vessel  from  passing  down  the  river. 

On  the  Algiers'  side,  the  line  is  just  behind  the  Barataua  canal, 
and  runs  from  the  river  to  the  swamp.  It  is  all  complete  except  the 
battery  on  the  river,  where  it  is  intended  to  mount  ten  thirty-two 
pounders.  The  whole  should  be  mounted  in  two  weeks,  when  New 
Orleans  will  be  a  citidel. 

The  exterior  line  is  manned  by  about  four  thousand  fiv»  hundred 
men,  and  I  have  about  three  thousand  five  hundred  for  the  interior 
line,  besides  about  six  thousand  well  armed  volunteers  in  the  city 
who  are  uniformed  and  drilled.  With  fifteen  thousand  men  I  can 
defend  the  city  against  any  force  that  can  be  brought,  unless- 
we  are  attacked  on  all  sides  at  once.  I  have,  also,  had  two  sham 
parapets,  made  in  the  city  and  some  guns  mounted  as  schools  of  prac- 
tice for  the  volunteers.  In  enumerating  the  troops,  I  do  not  reckon 
two  regiments  (one  thousand  six  hundred  men)  that  I  sent  up  to  Col-- 
umbus  last  week,  to  General  Polk's  aid. 

Tlie  two  powder  mills  are  in  running  order,  one  at  the  barraclcs: 
and  one  at  the  old  marine  hospital.  5lajor  Rains  came  down  last 
week,  and  after  a  full  inspection,  reports  that  they  can  easily  turn  out 
two  tons  of  powder  per  day,  and  lam  making  a  contract  with  respon- 
sible parties  here  for  two  hundred  tons   of   saltpetre;    sulphur  and 


20 

charcoal  v;e  have  in  abundance.  The  new  marine  hospital  is  being 
fitted  up  at  a  small  cost,  one  half  for  a  hospital  and  the  other  for  a 
laborotory  and  store  rooms  for  munitions  of  war,  implements,  arms, 
etc.  With  a  sufficiency  of  powder,  I  should  consider  myself  in  a 
position  to  hold  New  Orleans  for  an  indefinite  length  of  time.  The 
only  point  then  for  consideration  would  be  provisions.  I  am  endeav- 
oring silently,  through  other  parties,  to  induce  holders  to  lay  in  not 
less  than  sixty  thousand  barrels  of  flour,  of  v.hich  the  city  consumes 
about  eight  hundred  per  diem.  This,  with  beef  cattle  from  Texas 
and  from  Mississippi,  via  Mardville,  would  enable  us  to  stand  a  siege 
of  two  or  three  months,  if  it  should  be  necessary. 

I  have  thus  endeavored  to  give  you  a  rough  sketch  of  the  progress 
that  has  been  made  in  the  work  assigned  me  by  the  administration. 
There  arc  a  thousand  minor  matters  which  have  taken  up  a  good  deal 
of  time  and  given  much  trouble,  but  the  heaviest  part  of  the  work  is 
done.  The  amount  of  labor  involved  has  been  more  than  I  anticipated, 
as  matters  werein  a  much  worse  condition  than  I  could  have  sup- 
posed possible  ;  but  I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  I  regard  New 
Orleans  at  present  as  strong  enough  to  withstand  any  attack  that  is 
likely  to  be  made. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

^  M.    LOVELL, 

Major  Geiierul  commanding  Department  No.  1. 


(No.   19.) 

Confederate  States  of  AI^ierica,  ^ 
War  Department,  > 

Richmond,  Dec.  7,  1862.      ) 
Maj.  Gen.  M.  Lovell, 

.  Commanding  Department,  Headquarters  New  Orleans  : 
Sir:    I  respectfully  enclose  you,  for  your  attention,  a  copy  of  a 
letter  recently  received,  by  the  President  from  Samuel  A.  Cartwright, 
of  New  Orleans,     The  subject  is  referred  to  you  for  consideration 
•and  for  such  action  as  you  may  deem  proper. 
I  am,  respectfully,  sir, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed,)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  20.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  \ 

Headquarters  Department  No.  1 ,  \ 

New  Orleans,  La.,  Dec.  10,  1861.  ) 
tJen,  S.  Cooper, 

Adft  4-  Insp.  GejiH  C.  S.  Army  : 
Sir  :  When  I  assumed  command  in  this  department  I  found  that  a 
number  of  independent  companies,  originally  mustered  into  the  State 


21 

service,  had  been  transferred  to  tlie  Confederate  service  at  the  re- 
quest of  General  Twiggs. 

Some  of  these  companies  had  very  poor  officers,  and  in  cases  the 
■anks  were  filled,  in  part,  with  men  totally  unfit  for  military  service; 
and  the  sifting  out  of  these  companies  has,  in  some  instances,  reduced 
them  below  llie  number  required. 

What  I  desire  to  know  is,  whether  in  companies,  thus  reduced,  and 
when  the  officers  are  manifestly  incompet:nt,  I  cannot  have  the  au- 
thority to  break  them  up  or  to  transfer  the  good  men,  and  let  the  offi- 
cers be  turned  over  again  to  the  State  authorities  ?- 

I  could  thus  add  much  to  the  efficiency  of  the  service,  while  mate- 
rially diminishing  the  expense,  in  getting  rid  of  inefficient  and  super- 
numerary officers. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed,)  M.  LOVELL, 

3Iaj.  GerCl  Comd/g  BepH. 


(No.  21.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  \ 

Headquartd'S  Department  No.  1,  > 

New  Orleans,  La.,  Dec.  10,  1861.  ) 

Gen.  S.  Cooper, 

Adjutant  and  Inspector  General : 
Sir  :  After  great  delay  and  many  blunders,  I  have  succeeded  in 
getting  up  a  return  of  the  troops  in  my  department  for  the  month  of 
October.  It  is  not  as  accurate  as  it  should  be  but  will  give  you  an 
approximate  idea  of  the  force  here.  I  have  sent  the  13th  Louisiana 
and  3d  Mississippi  regiments  to  Columbus,  at  the  earnest  instance  of 
the  generals  in  command  tliore,  but  have  called  upon  Governor  Moore 
for  two  regim  nts  to  replace  them,  which  I  have  ordered  to  be  mus- 
tered. I  do  not  know  whether  this  exceeds  my  authority  or  not;  if 
it  does,  please  give  me  the  necessary  orders,  as  I  want  all  the  men  I 
can  arm.  The  November  returns  shall  not  be  delayed  so  long. 
Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed,)  M.  LOYELL, 

Maj.  GenH  Comd'g  Dep't. 


(No.  22.) 

Richmond,  December  12, 1861.. 
Gen.  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans  : 

The  Governor  of  Kentucky  has  sent  a  commission  asking  our  aid 
to  seize  the  property  of  the  banks  of  Kentucky  that  may  be  found  in 


■22 

New  Orleans.  Congress  is  noNY  deliberating  on  the  proper  measures. 
In  the  meantime  you  are  instructed  to  seize  and  hold,  till  the  pleasure 
of  Congress  is  known,  all  the  property,  funds  an!  assets  belonging 
to  the  different  banks  of  Kentucky  that  can  be  found  in  New  Orleans^ 
whether  deposited  in  tiny  of  our  banks  or  in  the  hands  of  agents  of 
the  banks  of  Kentucky.  # 

J.  P.  BENJxVMIN, 

Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  23.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ^ 
War  Department,  > 

Richmond,  December  12,  18G1.      ) 
Maj.  Gen.  M.  Lovill, 

ComiTg  Bep't,  §•£.,  Headquarters  New  Orleans:  ^ 

Sir:  I  have  read  your  endorsement  of  29tli  ult.  on  the  let^r  of 
Major  Lovell,  now  on  duty  under  your  command,  asking  that  he  may 
be  appointed  lieutenant  colonel  in  the  provisional  army  and  ordered 
to  continue  on  duty  with  yo.u.  I  have  already  informed  Maj.  Lovell 
that  such  appointment  is  impossible.  The  law  does  not  authorize  ap- 
pointments in  the  provisional  army  other  than  staif  appointments, 
except  to  command  troops  actually  in  service. 
I  am,  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed,)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN", 

Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  2-1.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ^ 

Headquarters  Department  No.  I ,       > 

New  Orleans,  La.,  16tli  Dec.  1861.  ) 

Hon.  J,  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War:  --  ^ 

Sir :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  yours  of  the 
7th  instant,  enclosing  a  letter  from  Dr.  Carcwright  to  the  President, 
relative  to  the  Mexican  Gulf  railroad. 

I  am  not  aware  that  the  government,  or  the  parties  who  claim  to 
have  purchased  the  road,  have  any  intention  of  using  the  iron  for 
shipbuilding  purposes,  nor  do  I  believe  that,  any  such  purpose  exists. 
Hud  any  plan  of  that  railroad  been  laid  before  me,  I  should  have  weighed 
the  respective  advantages  to  the  government  of  *using  the  iron  on  the 
road  or  on  the  ships,  and  decided  accordingly.  I  am  well  satisfied 
that  the  whole  scheme  is  to  make  a  grand  speculation  for  private  pur- 


23 

poses,  either  by  selling  the  iron  in  this  market,  or  by  forcing  the  road 
upon  the  government  at  an  exorbitant  price. 

I  have  a  work  at  Proctersvilie,  across  the  railroad,  mounting  aix 
thirty-two  pounders,  and  manned  by  one  hundred  men,  distant  from 
the  city  twenty-seven  miles,  which  covers  the  valuable  plantations 
along  the  left  bank  of  the  river.  To  rcinforco  this  work  rapidly  I 
have  constructed  a  switch  from  the  I'ontchartrain  to  the  Mexican 
Oulf  road  at  a  cost  of  one  thousand  six  hundred  dollars,  and  am  put- 
ting up  telegraph  lines  between  the  city  and  Proctersvilie,  which  will 
enable  me  to  receive  early  notice,  and  by  using  the  rolling  stock  of 
the  Pontchartrain  road  to  send  down  four  thousand  men  in  four  hours. 
Ic  is  this  arrangement  that  I  do  not  wi!<h  to  be  interfered  with  by 
what  I  consider  a  "rail  speculation."  The  only  order  I  have  given 
in  the  case  is  to  say  that  the  road  i*hall  not  be  torn  up  so  as  to  prevent 
the  passage  of  troops.  I  have  told  them  they  may  take  up  the  pre- 
sent rail,  and  put  down  the  T  rail,  but  thc^'  decline.  Of  one  thing  I 
am  sure,  the  government  has  no  prospective  benefit  in  what  the  com- 
pany propose  to  do. 

To  avoid,  however,  the  exercise  of  military  authoiity,  if  possible,  I 
sought  other  means  of  obtaining  the  end  in  view,  by  ordinary  process 
of  law.  Learning  that  the  State  has  mortgages  upon  the  road,  I  con- 
sulted Avith  the  Attorney  General,  who  is  now  taking  the  necessary 
steps  to  prevent,  by  an  injunction,  any  damages  being  done  to  it,  so 
as  to  preserve  it  intact  for  the  better  security  of  the  claims  that  the 
State  has  upon  it.  I  consider  it  thereforehardly  necessary  to  discuss 
the  propriety  of  military  intei'ference  as  long  as  the  matter  is,  or 
forthwith  will  be,  with  the  civil  authorities,  but  have  merely  men- 
tioned the  foregoing  facts  to  give  you  tbe  correct  data  in  the  premises. 
Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  •  M.    LOYELL, 

jllijjor-  Cm  ral  coinmanding. 


(No.  25.) 

C.  S.  A.,  Wak  Di:i>>rtmf. --t,      ) 
Richmond,  I  bill  Dec.  I8G1.  \ 

Major  General  M.  Loveu.,  Cjumnndirig  Department,  dc.  New  Orleans: 

Sir  :  In  compliance  v.ith  request  addressed  to  this  depaitment  by 
the  Hon.  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  you  are  instructed  to  do  all  in  your 
power,  consistently  with  the  exigencies  of  the  military  service  in 
your  department,  towards  supplying  Flag  Officer  llollins,  C.  S.  N., 
with  cannon  powder,  uponliis  requit-ition  therefor. 

I  am,  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Secretary  of  War. 


24 
(No.  2G.) 


C.  S.  A.,  W/.R  Department, 
Richmond,  23d  Dec.  1S61, 

Major  General  ]\r.  Lovell,  Is^ew  Orleans: 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  jour  two  letters 
of  the  10th  and  one  of  the  16th  instant. 

1st.  I  entirely  approve  your  forwarding  th:  thii'teeuth  Louisiana 
and  third  Mississippi  regiments  to  the  aid  of  our  commanders  in  Ken- 
tucky. While  I.  do  not  feel  at  liberty  under  present  circum^itances  to 
Gi'der  unconditionally  any  troops  to  be  sent  from  your  department,  I 
shall  be  most  happy  to  leani  that  you  can  spare  any  for  the  aid  of  the 
generals  in  Kentuck}^  who  are  sadly  cut-numbered  ;  of  course  it  is 
useless  to  call  out  any  troops  that  you  cannot  arm,  unless  they  are 
willing  to  enlist  for  the  war,  in  which  event  the  government  is  -willing 
to  pay  the  expense  of  holding  them  in  camps  of  instruction  until 
armed.  We  want  all  the  men  that  will  enlist  for  the  war ;  and  we 
want  all  armed  men  that  will  enlivSt  for  twelve  months.  I  only  require 
that  you  keep  your  returns  up  to  date,  so  that  I  may  at  all  times  be 
advised  of  the  entire  resources  at  command  of  the  government  in 
your  department. 

2d.  In  relation  to  your  question  about  the  pov^er  to  break  up  and 
re-organize  companies  so  as  to  get  rid  of  incompetent  officers,  I  have 
to  say,  that  under  the  acts  of  Congress  company  officers  are  always 
elective,  and  this  right  of  the  men  must  be  kept  steadily  in  view  and 
always  retipected.  Now  you  have  done  well  to  sift  out  the  men  unable 
to  do  duty,  and  discharge  them  from  the  service.  The  companies  thus 
reduced  below  tl;e  standard  number  may  be  disbanded  at  your  pleasure 
if  not  filled  up  by  other  able  men.  We  have  no  right  to  assig7i  them 
to  communders  whom  they  have  not  elected,  but  Vi^  have  a  right,  wifk 
their  consent,  to  consolidate  them  into  new  ccmpanies,  and  have  new 
elections  of  officeis.  The  Oest  plan  it  seems  to  me  is  to  get  the  men 
to  agree  to  form  new  companies  and  re-enlist.  On  getting  their  agree- 
ment, muster  the  old  companies  out  of  service,  and  new  companies 
into  service  at  the  same  time,  and  let  the  latter  elect  their  new  officers. 
With  your  advice  and  influence  they  could  readily  be  induced  to  elect 
competent  officers.  But  the  whole  matter  must  be  managed  by  con- 
cert with  the  men,  and  not  by  exercise  of  authority,  for  we  have 
none. 

3d,  On  the  subject  of  the  iron  of  the  Mexican  Gulf  railroad,  I  will 
Write  you  again  in  a  day  or  two.  Mr.  Gordon  is  here  and  it  is  pos- 
sible an  arrangement  may  be  made  advantageous  to  the  government 
and  satisfactory  to  the  company. 

4th.  I  have  now  to  ask  your  attention  to  the  sul^ject  of  the  coast 
defence  of  Mississippi.  The  interception  of  your  communication 
with  that  portion  of  your  department  hixs  caused  us  to  take  into  se- 
rious consideration  the  formation  of  a  new  district,  extending  from 
the  mouth  of  Pearl  river  to  East  Pascagoula,  and  detaching  it  from 


25 

your  coDimand,  as  it  must  be  almost  impracticable  for  jou  to  give  it 
any  personal  attention.  In  the  meantime,  however,  our  concern  has 
been  awakened  by  news  that  there  is  considerable  communication  kept 
up  between  our  coast  and  the  enemy  by  small  traders  running  with 
sloops  and  schooners  out  of  the  different  streams  that  empty  into  the 
Mississippi  sound,  and  supplying  the  enemy  at  Ship  island  and  the 
Chandeliers,  with  all  the  intelligence  they  can  gather,  as  well  as  the 
daily  papers  of  New  Orleans, 

I  enclose  you  for  examination  and  reflection  a  p:iper  on  this  subject 
prepared  by  lion.  0.  J.  McRae,  who  is  intimately  acquainted  with  the 
whole  coast,  and  on  which  the  President  has  written  an  endorsement, 
that  I  also  recommend  to  your  attention.  We  must,  as  far  as  possible, 
protect  our  people  against  marauders,  and  the  proclamation  issued  by 
the  Yankee  general,  as  contained  in  the  pipers,  is  so  open  an  invita- 
tion to  the  slaves  to  revolt,  that  they  ought,  in  my  opinion,  at  once  to 
be  removed  out  of  the  reach  of  the  incendiary  gang  who  are  not 
simply  our  enemies,  but  the  enemies  of  the  human  race.  If  you  think 
3'ou  cannot  communicate  with  the  southern  coast  of  Mississippi  Avith 
sufficient  facility  to  supervise  efficiently  defensive  measures,  you  will 
be  good  enough  so  to  inform  me  at  once,  and  we  must  try  to  find  a 
commander  for  it  as  a  separate  district.  Please  inform  me  how  the 
powder  factory  is  getting  on,  and  what  quantity  of  powder  you  have. 
Major  Rains  tells  me  that  the  mills  thus  far  are  not  making  over  one 
thousand  five  hundred  pounds  a  day,  although  capable  of  making 
twice  that  quantity. 

I  am,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

S  cretary  of  War. 


%  [No.  2*.] 

Co.NFEDERATE  StaTT-S    OF  AmERICA,  ^ 

Ileadquarlers,  Department  No.    1,       > 
New  Orleans,  La.,  Dec.  24,    1861.    ) 

lion.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War  : 

Sir  ;  I  have  tlie  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of 
18th  inst.,  relative  to  furnishing  Commodore  Hollins  Avith  cannon 
powder. 

I  have  made  it  a  point,  without  instructions,  to  aid  him  to  the 
extent  of  my  ability,  and  he  has  already  been  furnished  oy  us  with 
nearly  four  tons  of  powder. 

I  have  collected  materials  at  great  trouble  and  expense,  and  urged 
to  completion  a  large  mill  for  making  powder,  for  the  purpose  of  sup- 
plying my  own  wants,  and  they  are  yet  far  from  being  in  a  satisfac- 
tory condition.  I  have  already  turned  over  to  the  navy  more  powder 
than,  in  justice  to  the  army,  I  should  have  done,  and  it  Avill  require 
more  than  I  have  on  hand  to  give  a  half  allowance  to  the  guns  I  have 


26 

mounted.  If  I  can  be  supplied  with  saltpetre  in  large  quantities  I 
can  easily  furnish  Captain  Ilollins  and  myself,  or  if  he  will  procure 
the  saltpetre  I  will  have  it  worked  up.  As  matters  now  stand,  he 
cannot  rely  upon  me  for  a  pound;  I  must  supply  myself  first,  and  I 
feel  satisfied  that  you  will  endorse  my  action,  when  you  are  made  ac- 
quainted will  all  the  circumstances. 

I  beg  leave  to  ask  your  attention  to  my  recommendation  in  refer- 
ence to  Colonel  Duncan.  There  are  nearly  5,(lli!)  men  in  the  works 
on  the  exterior  line,  without  any  competent  brigade  commander,  who 
should  be  a  thorough  arrillcrist  and  unnderstand  Avell  the  nature  of 
the  coast.  It  is  utterly  impossible  for  me  to  visit  these  works  while 
keeping  up  the  affairs  of  the  Department  in  this  city. 

llespectfuUy, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

M.  LOVELL, 
Major  General  Commanding. 


[No.  28.] 

Co  FEDERATE   StaTES  OF   AmERICA,  ) 

Headquarters,  Department  No.  \.       \ 
New  Orleans,  La.,  Dec.  25,  1861.    ) 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War  : 

Sir  :  I  have  received  your  letter,  stating  that  Major  Lovell  could 
not  be  put  on  duty  here  with  rank  of  field  officer,  except  to  command 
troops.  I  was  led  into  mistake  in  the  matter  by  having  in  mind  the 
case  of  Col.  Duncan. 

I  cannot  spare  Major  Lovell  whose  serv'ces  in  obstructing  the  d|an- 
nels  have  proved  invaluable,  and  the  objection  as  to  command  can  be 
easily  obviated. 

There  are,  in  this  Department  on  duty,  twenty-one  separate  compa- 
panies  of  volunteers,  who  cause  as  much  office  detail  at  department 
headquarters  as  21  regiments  would  do.  With  your  permission  I  will 
organize  these  troops  .into  regiments  and  battalions  and  assign  field 
officers  to  them. 

I  can  thus  place  Major  Lovell  on,duty  here  with  troops  as  a  field 
officer  and  his  position  with  General  Bragg's  army  can  be  filled  by 
another  officer.     Shall  I  thus  assign  him  ? 

I  have  mustered  in  regiments  in  place  of  the  troops  that  I  sent  to 
General  Johnston,  and  have  called  upon  Governor  Moore  for  an 
additional  regiment  to  man  the  guns  on  the  interior  line.  If, 
in  this,  I  have  been  in  error,  please  let  mo  know.  In  conversation 
with  the  President  before  leaving  Richmond,  I  understood  him  to  say 
that  I  could  call  for- such  troops  as  the^case  might  require,  taking  care 
not  to  create  more  expense  for  maintaining  men  than  was  absolutely 
necessary. 


27 

As  the  enemy  is  congregating  at  Ship  Island  I  shall  organize  the 
forces  here  as  rapidly  as  possible. 

The  Governor,  at  my  request,  has  ordered  all  the  independent  vol- 
unteer companies  to  form  into  regiments  and  elect  their  field  officers, 
which  Avill  give  about  6,00!)  pretty  vrcll  armed  men  in  the  city  subject 
to  call. 

Do  they  bring  their  General  officers,  when  called  into  service  ?      A 
militia  law  has  also  been  draughted  and  presented,  ^^^ich  I  think  will 
make  about  one-third  of  the  militia  available  at  short  notice. 
Respectfully, 

Your  obedient  serviint,  • 

M.  LOVELL, 
Mnjor   General  Commanding. 


[  No.  29.  ] 

New  Ouleans,  Dec.  27,  1862. 
Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  IVar  : 

I  have  made  into  good  powder  all  the  saltpetre  sent,  can  you  spare 
any  more  ? 

M.   LOYELL, 


(No.  30.) 

CONFEPERATE  StaTKS  OF    AmERICA,  ^ 

Headqunrters  Department  No  1 ,  > 

New  Orleans,  La.,  Dec.  29,  1861.  ) 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War : 

Sir  :  At  12  o'clock  last  night  Hobart  &  Foster's  powder  mill,  in  the 
old  marine  hospital  exploded.  One  cargo  of  powder  (4,000  lbs.)  was 
in  the  drjnng  room,  and  another  of  the  same  amount  vas  in  the  cyl- 
inders, all  of  which  was  lost.  I  had  taken  out  4,000  lbs.  the  same 
day.  The  mill  was  turning  out  this  amount  daily.  The  mill  that  1 
brought  over  from  Handsboro  will  be  put  up  in  twenty  days,  and  this, 
together  with  the  city  mill  will  enable  us  to  turn  out  2,500  or  3,000 
lbs.  daily.  Ilobart  &  Foster  will  proceed  immediately  to  rebuild  their 
mill,  and  I  shall  drive  it  through  with  all  the  means  at  my  control, 
and  hope  to  have  it  in  operation  again  in  si.x  weeks. 

The  total  amount  of  saltpetre  invoiced  to  this  point  since  the  middle 
of  last  September  is  82,506  lbs.  gross,  of  which  only  62,000  ever  came 
to  hand.  The  weight  of  the  casks  and  sacks  is  to  be  deducted,  be- 
sides which  some  of  it  was  very  impure.  Ilobart  k  Foster  had  three 
days  supply  on  hand  at  the  time  of  the  explosion  (10,000  lbs.,)  which 
was  not  injured. 


28 

The  enemy  has  now  at  Ship  Island  twcntj-tvro  vessels  large  and 
small,  and  is  landing  troops  in  large  num'bers.  They  have  been 
sounding  and  staking  out  the  channels  leading  towards  the  Rigolcts  and 
Chef  Mentone  pass,  but  I  think  this  is  only  a  blind,  to  draw  our  atten- 
tion from  Mobile  which  I  think  is  their  object  of  attack.  They  cannot 
take  New  Orleans  by  a  land  attack  with  any  force  they  can  bring  to 
bear. 

I  should  much"  like  to  have  for  an  inspector  general  an  officer  of 
knowledge  and  experience.  I  am  almost  entirely  deficient  in  the  way 
of  officers.  General  Ruggles  and  Colonel  Duncan  are  the  only  two 
serving  with  troops  who  can  render  me  aid.  No  other  department  is 
so  deficient,  and  certainly  none  is  more  important. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  M.  LOVELL, 

Major  General  Commandwg. 


(No.  3!.)  i 

Richmond,  Januai-y  1,  1862.   ' 

General  M.  Lovell,  Neio  Orleans: 

Can  give  you  no  more  saltpetre,  but  expect  large  supply  very  soon. 
Send  me  return  of  your  entire  stock  of  ammunition. 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  33.) 

C.  S.  A.,  War  Department,  ) 
Richmond,  Jan.  5,  1862.      ) 

Major  General  Lovell,  New  Orleans: 

Sir  :  Your  letters  of  the  2  4th  and  25tli  ultimo,  have  been  received. 

I.  My  request  in  relation  to  the  powder  asked  for  by  Commodore 
Hollins  Avas  of  course  subordinate  to  your  discretion,  but  I  am  anxious 
to  accommodate  the  navy  on  all  proper  occasions,  and  to  keep  up  cor- 
dial relations  in  all  branches  of  the  service. 

II.  I  will  call  the  President's  attention  again  to  your  recommenda- 
tion in  l^xvor  of  Colonel  Duncan. 

III.  Your  suggestion  as  to  organization  of  independent  companies 
into  regim.ents  and  battalions  is  entirely  approved.  I  had  no  idea 
that  the  condition  of  your  forces  was  such  as  you  represent.  We 
never  permit  an  accumulation  of  independent  companies.  We  consult 
their  wishes,  however,  in  throwing  them  together,  and  you  arc  requested 


29 

■with  this  view  to  organize  two  regiments  out  of  these  twenty-one 
companies,  and  to  send  to  this  department  a  return  of  the  organiza- 
tion with  muster  rolls,  and  a  recoaimendation  for  appointment  of  field 
officers.  In  this  way  provision  can  be  made  for  Major  Lovell  within 
your  department. 

IV.  Your  muster  in  of  other  regiments  in  place  of  those  sent  to 
Kentucky  is  approved.  Indeed,  until  further  orders,  you  are  author- 
ised to  receive  and  muster  into  Confederate  service  all  companies, 
battalions  or  regiments  that  tender  themselves  for  the  v^'ar  or  three 
years.  But  bear  in  mind  we  will  accept  no  men  for  a  less  terra, 
unless  they  arm  themselves  at  their  own  expense.  In  this  event  you  may 
accept  them  for  not  less  than  twelve  months. 

"V.   The  militia,  when  out  as  such,  bring  their  generals  with  them. 

VI.  I  hope  soon  to  hear  of  your  having  been  able  to  do  something 
to  check  the  enemy  and  encourage  our  people  on  the  sea  coast  of 
Mississippi,  though,  of  course,  I  cannot  and  do  not  expect  yon  to 
weaken  your  command  in  New  Orleans  for  the  purpose  of  punishing 
maurauders  on  the  coast.  If  you  could  get  up  a  small  local  organ- 
ization, however,  with  a  flying  battery  equipped  with  good,  reliable 
horses  for  rapid  movement,  so  as  to  prevent  the  landing  of  small  par- 
ties of  plunderers,  it  would  have  a  happy  effect  and  give  pleasure  and 
confidence  to  our  people  in  Southern  Mississippi. 
Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Secretary  of  War. 

P.  S.  You  may,  perhaps,  not  have  beard  that  your  appointment 
has  been  confirmed  by  Congress.  Your  commission  will  be  sent  as 
soon  as  we  can  get  time  to  issue  any  commissions. 


( No.  34. ) 

Confederate  States  of  AMEurcx,  ^ 

Headquarters  Department  No  1 .       > 

New  Orleans,  Jan.  7,  1862.  ) 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War  : 

Sir  :  After  reading  the  letter  of  Mr.  McRae,  relative  to  the  use  of 
lauches  on  the  coast  of  Mississippi  Sound,  I  suggested  to  Cominodorc 
Ilollins  to  .make  some  arrangements  with  that  purpose  in  view. 
Nothing  has  been  done,  nor  is  it  likely  that  anything  will  be  done 
by  the  Navy  Department  there,  unless  under  orders  from  Richmond. 
You  will  recollect  our  conversation  the  evening  before  I  lefc  Rich- 
mond, in  which  }0u  took  a  different  view  from  myself.  I  felt  satisfied 
that  if  the.  protection  of  the  navigable  streams  running  up  into 
the  country,  was  removed  from  my  control,  it  would,  in  all  probability, 
not  be  properly  arranged  in  connection  with  the  land  defences,  while 
the  General  commanding  the  Department  would  be  considered  by  the 


30 

people  at  large,  as   responsible  for  inroads  into   tlie  territory  of  his 
command.     This  is  just  what  has  happened. 

I  shouUI  have  had  light  draught  armed  vessels  or  launches  at  nu- 
merous points  along  the  coast,  had  I  not  kept  in  view  your  expressed 
wish  that  all  clashing  (even  in  appearance)  should  be  avoided  between 
the  two  arms  of  service.  1  have  now  on  Lake  Borgue  a  larger  armed 
force  than  the  Navy  has,  but  it  is  kept  up  under  the  name  of  supply- 
ing our  posts  on  the  sound,  it  being  necessary  that  the  vessels  should 
be  armed  for  their  own  protection.  I  hope  that,  in  connection  with 
Mr.  Mallory,  you  may  be  able  devise  some  plan  by  which  either  the 
entire  matter  may  be  placed  under  my  control,  or  the  naval  officer  in 
command  may  have  orders  to  afford  such  aid-  as  I  may  officially  re  • 
quire  of  him.  The  blame  of  Avant  of  protection  will  rest  upon  me  in 
any  event,  and  I  should,  therefore,  have  some  power  to  say  what 
should  bo  done. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  M.  LOYELL, 

Major  General,  cMmmanding. 


(No.  35.) 

E-icilmojnd,  January  6,  18G2. 
Major  General  Lovell,  Nuc  Orleans  : 

1  have  laken  all  the  powder  by  Vanderbilt.  Arrange  with  owners 
for  bringing  it  all  to  New  Orleans,  except  five  tons  of  cannon  powder 
and  one  ton  of  rifle  powder  ordered  to  Galveston. 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 
Secretary  of  War. 

4t" 


(No.  36.) 

Confederate  States  of  Asserica,  ^ 

War  Departmcjit,  > 

Eichmond,  January  6,  18tl2.       ) 

Maj.  Gen.  M,  Lovell,  New  Orleans: 

Sir:  Your  letters  of  24th  and '29th  instants,  are  received.  I  have 
to  announce  to  you  that  the  President  has  authorized  the  appointment 
of  Colonel  JOuncan  as  Ikigadier  General  and  his  nomination  will  be 
sent  to  Congress  to-morrow. 

The  President  desires  that  you  assign  General  Trimble  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  district  stretching  from  the  Rigolet  to  Pascagoula,  and 
confide  to  him  the  defence  of  that  part  of  your  department,  furnish- 
ing him  one  or  two  light  batterieg,  well  equipped  for  active  movement, 
and  such  number  of  troops  as  may  be  sufficient  for  checking  maraud- 
ing parties  that  may  attempt  plunder. 


31 

It  is  not,  of  course,  expected  that  he  can  resist  an  army,  but  you 
can  furnish  him  Tvith  sufficient  force  to  encourage  and  inspirit  the 
people  on  the  sea  shore,  cut  off  communication  of  evil  disposed  per- 
sons jvith  the  enemy  and  check  boating  parties  attempting  to  carry  on 
a  predatory  warfare. 

I  am  sorry  to  hear  of  the  destruction  of  the  powder  mill  with  its 
contents,  as  we  have  not  a  pound  to  spare.  You  will  please  be  good 
enough  to  send  me,  at  once,  a  statement  by  which  1  can  discover 
which  of  the  saltpetre  shipments  have  failed  to  reach  you,  as  you  se.m 
to  be  short  at  least  twenty  thousand  pounds  by  your  letter  of  'SOth. 
I  will  see,  if  I  can,  send  you  a  good  inspecting  officer,  I  think 
Major  Pickett  is  disposable,  and  the  only  one  we  have,  at  present, 
not  in  active  and  important  service. 

1  have  taken  all  the  powder,  said  to  be  forty-five  tons,  just  arrived 
by  the  Vanderbilt,  and  telegraphed  you  to  that  effect.  Please  have 
it  inspected, ;  o  as  to  be  sure  that  we  are  not  paying  such  an  enormous 
price  as  two  dollars  per  pound  for  damaged  powder,  and  aid  the  owners 
in  having  it  all  brought  for  distribution  to  New  ()i leans,  except  five 
tons  of  cannon  and  one  of  rillc  powder,  which  I  desire  l^nt  to  Gal- 
veston. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Secretary  of  Wdf. 


(No.  37.) 


C0NFEDER.\TE    StaTES    OF    A.MERICA,  i 

Headq^'artcrs,  Department  No.  I.       V 
New  Orleans,  La.,  -January  S,  1862.  ) 
Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War: 

Sir:  Some  six  weeks  since,  at  the  urgent  call  of  an  cfficer  in 
Kentucky,  and  believing  that  I  would  be  safe  from  attick  until  Jan- 
uary, I  sent  two  regiments  to  Columbus,  with  the  distinct  understand- 
ing on  my  part,  and  so  expressed,  both  to  Generals  Johnston  and 
Polk,  that  when  the  enemy  appeared  here  they  should  be  returned. 
General  Polk  now,  in  answer  to  my.  call,  telegraphs  me  that  he  has 
asked  you  to  send  me  other  troops,  and  you  have  consented.  I  hope 
that  this  is  not  so.  The  troops  I  sent  him  are  natives  of  this  part  of 
the  country,  and  cannot  be  replaced  by  others.  The  third  Mississippi 
regiment  is  composed  largely  of  the  fishermen,  oystermen  and  sailors 
of  Bay  St.  Louis,  Biloxi,  Ocean  Springs,  etc.,  and  are  well  acquaint- 
ed with  all  the  inlets,  bayous  and  soundings  of  that  intricate  and 
difficult  coast,  and  can  be  of  more  service  there  than  any  other  body 
of  men.  1  have,  therefore,  written  to  General  Polk  to  insist  that  the 
third  Missippi  regiment,  at  all  events,  shall  be  sent  down.  They  can 
as  well  be  replaced  there  as  here  by  fresh  troops,  but  none  can  supply 
their  place  to  mo  on  the  Mississippi  coast.     The  regiment  was  raised 


32 

particularly  for  that  service,  about  Lalf  of  it  being  amphibious,  and  I 
shall  -want  to  put  a  number  of  them  in  boats.  The  country  troops 
will  not  answer  rny  purpose.  I  beg,  therefore,  that  even  if  you  per- 
mit General  Polk  to  retain  the  thirteenth  Louisiana,  you  will  telegraph 
him  to  send  me  the  third  Mississippi  regiment  immediately. 

He  docs  me  great  injustice  by  leaving  me  'till  this  late  hour  under 
the  impression  that  when  I  wanted  these  two  regiments  they  should 
be  it  turned,  and  I  have  so  written  him. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed,)  M.  LOVELL, 

Major  General  commanding 


(No.  39.) 

New  Orleans,  January  13,  1862. 
Hon.  J.  P.  Benjvmix: 

A  party  will  contract  to  deliver  here  seventy-five  tons  powder,  if 
we  advance  the  money,  under  bonds,  satisfactory  to  me,  at  .eighty-four 
(84)  cents  per  pound,  specie,  or  one  dollar  fourteen  cents  in  Confed- 
erate notes ;  if  approved,  notify  and  enable  me  to  raise  the  money. 

M.  LOVELL. 


(No.  40.) 

Richmond,  January  14,  1862. 
Gen.  M.  LovELij,  New  Orleans: 

You  will  impress,  immediately,  for  public  servive,  the  fourteen 
ships  hereafter  named:  The  Mexico,  the  Texas,  the  Orizaba,  the 
Charles  Morgan,  the  Florida,  the  Arizona,  the  Jewess,  the  Atlantic, 
the  KoustQD,  the  Magnolia,  the  Matagorda,  the  W.  H.  Webb,  the 
Anglo  Saxon  and  the  Anglo  Norman.  You  will  please  have  them 
valued  by  disinterested  parties,  of  the  highest  character. 

The  recent  sale  of  the  Tennessee  will  afford  a  good  opportunity  for 
testing  their  true  value. 

(Signed,)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Seen  tar y   of    War. 
Operator  : 

I  want  an  answer  from  your  operator  in  New  Orleans,  when  he 
delivers  this. 

(Signed)  J.  P.  B. 


(No.  41.) 

ExEcuTiTE  Office,  Jackson,  Jan.  14,  1862. 
Hon.  J.  P.  BfxNjamin,  Secretary  of  War : 

Sir :     Enclosed  I  send  you  a  letter  from  Major  General  M.  Lovell, 
on  the  subject  of  the  return  of  the  third  regiment  Mississippi  volun- 


as 

teers,  and  respectfully  join  in  his  request,  that  you  order  their  return, 
for  reasons  given  in  former  letters. 

Respectfully, 
(Signed,)  JOHN.  J.  TETTUS. 

The  enclosure  referred  to  is  General  Level's  lettter  of   January 
8,  1862. 


(No.  42.) 

New  Orleans,  January  15,  18G2. 
Hon.  J.  P.  Ben.i.\min  : 

Fourteen  vessels  taken.    The  Atlantic  is  small  and  poor.   Shall  I  take 
the  Galveston  in  her  place  ? 

M.  LOVELL. 


i:  No.  43.  ] 

Richmond,  Jan.  15th,  1862. 
Gen.  M.  Lovell,  iVeto  Orleans  : 

Will  take  the  powder  if  delivered  at  an  early  day.     Will  let  you 
know  to-morrow  whether  we  will  send  you  specie  or  notes. 

(Signed)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Secretary  of  War 


[  No.  41.  ] 

Richmond,  Jan.    I6th,  1862. 
Gen.  Mansfield  Lovell,  New  Orleans  : 

One  hundred  and  ninety-five  thousand  dollars  ($195,001),)  will  be 
placed  to  your  credit  to-morrow  in  Treasury  notes,  for  completing 
the  contract  for  the  seventy-five  tons  of  powder.     Make  the  contract 
for  delivery  as  soon  as  possible,  and  let  it  be  all  cannon  powder. 
(Signed)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN. 

Secretary  of  War. 


[No.  45.] 

C.  S.  A.,  War    Department,      ) 
Richmond,  Jan.  19,  1862.  J 

Maj.  Gen.  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans. 

Sir  :  A  few  days  ago  I  sent  you  a  telegram,  requesting  the  seizure, 


34 

for  account  of  the  government,  of  fourteen  steam  ships,  and  received 
vour  reply  informing  me  that  the  request  had  been  complied  with. 

These  instructions  were  sent  you  in  consequence  of  the  passas;e  by 
Congress  of  two  laws  Nos.  344  and  350  herewith  forwarded,  providing 
one  million  of  dollars  for  application  to  floating  defences  for  the  Wes- 
tern rivers,  to  be  expended  at  the  discretion  of  the  President,  by  the 
Secretary  of  War,  or  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  as  he  shall  direct,  and 
authorizing  a  corps  of  not  more  than  6,000  men  to  be  raised  for  tem- 
porary and  special  service  on  the   Western  waters. 

The  terms  of  the  acts  will  at  once  suggest  to  you  that  the  force  in- 
tended is  a  peculiar  one.  It  is  not  to  be  part  of  the  navy,  for  it  is  in- 
tended for  service  on  the  rivers  and  will  be  composed  of  the  steamboat 
men  of  the  Western  Avaters. 

It  will  be  subject  to  the  general  command  of  the  military  chief  of 
the  department  where  it  may  be  ordered  to  operate,  but  the  boats  will 
be  commanded  by  steamboat  captains,  manned  by  steamboat  crews, 
who  will  be  armed  with  such  weapons  as  the  captains  may  choose  ; 
and  the  boats  will  be  fitted  out  as  the  respective  captains  may  desire. 
The  intention  and  design  are  to  strengthen  the  vessels  with  iron 
casing  at  the  bows  and  to  use  them  at  high  speed  to  run  down  or  run 
over  and  sink,  if  possible,  the  gun  boats  and  mortar  rafts,  prepared  by 
the  enemy  for  attack  at- our  river  defences.  These  gunboats  and 
mortar  rafts  have  been  so  far  protected  by  iron  plates  and  by  their  pe- 
culiar construction  as  to  offer,  in  the  judgment  of  the  President  and 
of  Congress,  but  small  chance  of  our  being  able  to  arrest  their  descent 
of  the  river  by  shot  or  shell,  while,  at  the  same  time,  their  weight, 
their  unweildy  construction  and  their  slow  movement,  together  with  the 
fact  that  they  show  very  little  surface  above  the  water  line,  render 
them  peculiarly  liable  to  the  mode  of  attack  devised  by  the  enterpris- 
ing captains  who  have  undertaken  to  effect  their  destruction  by  run- 
ning them  down,  if  provided  with  swift  and  heavy  steamers,  so 
strengthened  and  protected  at  the  bows  as  to  allow  to  them  rush  on 
the  descending,  boats  without  being  sunk  by  the  first  fire. 

Captains  Montgomery  and  Townsend  have  been  selected  by  the 
President  as  two  of  these  who  are  to  command  these  boats.  Twelve 
other  captains  will  be  found  by  them  and  rec  >mmended  to  the  Presi- 
dent for  appointment.  Each  Captain  will  ship  his  own  crew,  fit  up 
his  own  boat  and  get  ready  within  the  shortest  possible  delay.  It  is 
not  proposed  to  rely  on  cannon,  which  these  men  are  not  skilled  in 
using,  nor  on  fire-arms.  The  men  will  be  armed  with  cutlasses. 
<  »n  each  boat,  however,  there  will  be  one  heavy  gun  to  bo  used  in 
case  the  stern  of  any  of  the  gunboats  should  be  exposed  to  fire,  for 
they  are  entirely  unprotected  behind,  and  if  attempting  to  escape  by 
liight,  would  be  very  vulnerable  by  shot  from  a  pursuing  vessel. 

I  give  you  these  details  as  furnishing  a  mere  outline  of  the  general 
plan,  to  be  worked  out  by  the  brave  and  energetic  men  who  have  un- 
dertaken it.  Prompt  and  vigorous  preparation  is  indispensible.  The 
department  relies  confidently  on  your  co-operation  in  rendering  effec- 
tive this  plan,  which  may  perhaps  not  only  be  of  vast  importance  for 
the  peculiar  service  now  hoped  for  on  the  upper  Mississippi,  but  may 


35 

prove  very  formidable  aids  to  your  future  operations  in  the  lower  part 
of  the  valley. 

I  shall  at  once  place  to  your  credit  three  hundred  thousand  dollars, 
to  be  expended  for  the  purpose  of  preparing  and  outfitting  these  ves- 
sels as  rapidly  as  possible,  and  shall  renew  the  remittances  as  far  as  re- 
quired while  the  appropriation  will  permit.  It  is  expected  that  you 
will  allow  a  very  wide  latitude  to  the  captains  in  the  prepartion  of 
these  vessels,  merely  exercising  such  general  supervision  as  to  prevent 
the  throwing  away  of  money  in  purely  chimerical  experiments,  and 
in  checking  any  projligafe  expenditure. 

Your  chief  quartermaster  can  keep  the  accounts  so  as  to  relieve 
you  of  the  responsibility  of  a  disbursing  officer,  and  you  can  dis- 
charge yourself  any  money  liability  by  simply  taking  hi«  receipt  as 
your  voucher  for  turning  over  this  money. 

To  a  commander  of  your  intelligence  and  capacity  it  is  deemed 
sufficient  thus  generally  to  sketch  the  outline  of  a  scheme  of  defence, 
without  attempting  to  lay  down  any  minute  rules  or  details  for  carry- 
ing out  what  is  necessarily  a  novel  experiment  ;  yet,  one  from  which 
much  is  hoped  by  the  governmtnt. 

This  letter  will  be  delivered  to  you  by  Captain  Townsend  in  person, 
he  being  one  o^the  two  already  elected  by  the  President  for  the  com-- 
mand  of  boats. 

I  am,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 
Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  46.) 

CoNFEDKRATE  StATES  OF  AmERICA,  ,    i 

Headquarters  Department  No.  1,       \ 
New  Orleans,  La.,  Jan.  13th,  1862.  > 
Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War,  Richmond: 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  state  in  reply  to  your  telegram,  that  the- 
amount  of  powder  in  this  department,  in  round  numbers  of  pounds,  is 
as  follows  : 

At  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip, 
'*     Pike, 

'*    Macomb,  ^ 

*'     Proctorvillc, 
Bienvenu, 
Tower  Dupres, 
Fort  Livingston, 
Grand  Caillon, 
Fort  Berwick, 
"     Chene, 

"    Guyon  or  Bayou  Lafourche, 
Culcasicn  Pass, 
In  magazine  in  and  around  New  Orleans, 

Total,  116,751)  pound)?. 


55,000 

pounds 

11,500 

6,900 

750 

2,200 

500 

4,500 

1,350 

1,100 

5,100 

1,000 

850 

30,000 

The  quarterly  returns  are  coming  in  slowly,  and  when  received 
will  enable  me  to  report  exactly  the  quantity  of  powder  on  hand  ;  but 
I  have  caused  the  above  estimate  to  be  made  out  carefully,  and  am 
convinced  that  it  will  not  vary  materially  from  the  aggregate  of  the 
official  returns. 

Considering  New  Orleans  to  be  in  condition  to  resist  an  attack,  I 
am  turning  my  attention  particularly  to  the  coast  of  Mississippi.  I 
had  received  no  notice  of  the  assignment  of  General  Trimble  to  my 
command.  If  the  third  Mississippi  regiment  which  was  raised  mainly 
on  that  coast  be  returned  to  me  from  Columbus,  I  can  easily  provide 
him  with  a  force  sufficient  to  pi'event  communication  with  the  enemy 
and  repel  predatory  parties.  The  water  communication  between  here 
and  the  eastern  portion  of  this  department  being  somewhat  precarious, 
I  have  organized  trains  for  supplying  the  troops,  to  be  located  in  that 
section,  by  land.  I  have  ordered  an  accurate  reconnoisance  and  to- 
pographical map  to  be  made  of  the  country  between  the  Jackson  rail- 
road and  Mississippi  city,  W'hich  Vtill  enable  me  to  select  the  most  de- 
fensible positions  for  General  Trimble's  command,  to  hold  the  enemy 
in  check  should  he  attempt  to  push  up  to  the  Jackson  railroad.  Mean- 
while, I  have  in  hand  a  well  organized  movable  column,  (General 
Rugglcs'  brigade,)  of  about  5,000  men,  including  artillery,  which  I 
can  throw  over  Lake  Pontchartrain  at  a  few  hours'  notice,  to  operate 
against  his  column  should  he  be  foolish  enough  to  attempt  such  a 
flank  movement. 

If,  however,  he  should  attempt  to  land  at  Pascagoula,  and  strike  for 
Mobile,  I  could  move  Trimble's  brigade,  reinforced  by  Rugglcs', 
against  his  base  of  operations  at  Pascagoula,  and  thus  perhaps  compel 
an  abandonment  of  the  attack.  These  movements  will,  of  course, 
depend  upon  my  ability  to  transport  troops  and  supplies  through  that 
section  of  country  by  land. 

I  shall  probably  have  on  that  coast  two  batteries  of  four  guns  each, 
and  two  mounted  companies — all  from  this  city  ;  and  if  the  naval  de- 
partment will  give  me  half  a  dozen  launches  to  place  in  Biloxi  bay, 
Bay  S'Louis,  and  Pearl  river,  I  think  we  can  obtain  all  necessary  re- 
sults on  that  coast.  We  cannot,  of  course,  prevent  an  army  from 
landing  under  cover  of  their  gunboats. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)      *  M.  LOVELL, 

Major  General  Commanding. 


(No.  47.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  i 

Headquarters,  Department  No,  1 ,       > 

New  Orleans,  15th,  Jan.,  1862.  ) 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War  ; 

Sir :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  two  let- 
lers  of  5th  and  6  th  instants. 


37 

I  sent  you  on  the  fifth  Decemher,  by  Colonel  J.  Davis,  aid  to  the 
President,  a  rasp  with  a  descriptive  letter  giving  a  summary  of  the 
defences  of  the  department,  as  arranged  at  that  date.  I  hope  it 
reached  you  safely,  as  it  has  important  information.  In  my  letter  of 
the  13th  instant,  the  powder  in  this  department  was  placed  in  lound 
numbers  at  1 15,000  pounds.  A  considerable  quantity  of  this  is  not 
cannon  powdor,  and  by  reference  to  the  letter  of  oth  ultimo,  you  will 
see  that  there  are  more  than  three  hundred  heavy  guns  in  this  depart- 
ment, scattered  from  Calcasieu  to  Pearl  river.  I  mention  this  in 
reference  to  the  distribution  of  the  powder  by  the  Vanderbilt. 

There  is  not  a  single  ten  inch  gun  in  this  department.  I  can  have 
some  ca='t  here  in  a  few  days,  provided  machinery  can  be  had  to  bore 
them.  The  Belleville  foundry  has  two  lathes  large  enough  to  bore 
twelve  inches,  but  the  foundry  is  shut  up,  and  the  parties  will  neither 
sell,  hire  nor  lend  the  lathes,  hoping  to  compel  the  government  to 
purchase  the  works.  In  case  I  fail  to  negotiote  for  them,  shall  I  take 
them,  appraise  and  pay  for  them  ? 

Through  Mr.  Dunn  and  other  sources,  I  have  collected  (by  purchase 
mainly)  about  nine  hundred  small  arms,  half  of  which  are  double  bar- 
relled shot  guns.  After  perfecting  as  far  as  possible  the  arming  of 
the  "  war  "  men,  I  should  propose  to  exchange  the  shot  guns  for  some 
miserable  muskets  and  carbines  in  the  hands  of  twelve  months  troops. 
It  would  look  bidly  to  go  into  action  with  p)or  guns  while  better 
ones  Avere  in  our  possession,  merely  because  the  men  were  not  enlisted 
for  the  war.  Besides,  the  *'  war  "  men  generally  are  an  inferior  class 
of  shots,  while  the  twelve  months  men  are  nearly  all  well  skilled  in 
the  use  of  arms,  and  should  be  entrusted  with  the  best  weapons.  The 
rifles  that  I  have  collected  have  been  cut  off  to  equal  lengths  and 
bored  out  to  the  calibre  of  the  old  United  States  rifle,  (fifty-fourth  of 
an  inch  ) 

It  was  reported  yesterday  that  Lieutenant  Foster  of  the  Unitei^ 
States  navy  had  been  in  the  city  as  a  spy  some  days  since.  Should  I 
arrest  a  Federal  officer  under  such  circumstances,  is  he  to  be  punished 
with  death  ?  I  ask,  having  in  view  Tyler's  case,  of  our  army,  who 
was  arrested  in  Cincinnati  last  summer,  but  has  never  been  tried  as  a 

epy- 

vV'hen  our  large  powder  mill  blew  up  we  got  to  work  upon  the  ma- 
chinery of  the  mill  that  I  ordered  to  be  removed  from  Harrodsboro', 
and  yesterday  a  charge  was  put  in.  This  mill  turned  out  on  its  old 
site  about  twelve  or  fifteen  hundred  pounds  per  day.  The  city  mill 
has  had  a  twenty  horse  power  engine  placed  in  it,  which  will  increase 
its  capacity  considerably,  I  sent  Mr.  Thomas  B.  Lee,  of  this  city, 
agent  to  Texas,  to  bring  over  the  A''anderbilt  powder,  as  soon  as  I  got 
your  dispatch. 

Feeling  satisfied  some  time  since  that  letters  were  being  sent  to  the 
United  States,  conveying  intelligence,  by  the  private  expresses  carry- 
ing mails,  via  Havana  and  Mexico,  I  ordered  all  such  letters  to  be 
examined,  and  appointed  Messrs.  Greenwood  &  Benochi,  two  gentle- 
men of  high  standing  here,  as  an  examining  committee. 

In  addition  to  the  defences  stated  in  my  letter  of  5th  ultimo,  we 


38 

are  now  erecting  eight  small  batteries  at  Manshac,  and  on  the  Lake 
shore,  where  the  Jackson  railroad  skirts  the  water,  so  as  to  prevent 
interruption  of  that  line  of  communication  by  the  enemy.  These 
batteries  are  for  two  guns  each —  sixteen  in  all. 

Major  Rains  took  on  a  proposition  from  me  about  the  Steamer  Ten- 
nessee. He  telegraphed  that  you  approved  the  plan,  but  I  have  had 
no  official  authority  to  guarantee  half  the  value  of  the  ship,  or  to 
raise  funds  for  the  purchase  of  our  half  of  the  return  cargo. 

I  am  engaged  in  organizing   the   independent  companies   into  two 

regiments,  and  will  send  on  the  names  of  the  officers  in  a  few  days. 

It  is  difficult  to  find  good  officers  who  will  take  the  positions  for  the 

short  time  (six  months)  that  these  troops  will  have  to  serve. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed,)  M.  LOVELL, 

Maj.  General  Commajiding. 


(No.  48.) 

^  Confederate  States  of  America,  \ 

Headquarters  Department  No.  1 ,      V 
New  Orleans,  La.,  Jan.  16,  1862.  ) 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War,  Richmond : 

Sir:  On  the  twenty-first  December,  1861,  I  caused  the  twentieth 
regiment  La.  volunteers.  Colonel  Reichard,  commanding,  to  be  mus- 
tered in  for  local  defence  within  the  limits  of  the  State  of  Louisiana, 
and  immediately  aftei  wards  called  it  into  service  and  assigned  it  to 
the  brigade  of  Brigadier  General  Ruggles.  This  regiment  is  com- 
posed entirely  of  companies  which  were  for  some  months  in  the  service 
of  the  State  of  Louisiana.  Something  over  one  half  of  the  men  are 
for  the  war,  the  rest  for  the  unexpired  term  of  their  State  enlist- 
ment, averaging  1st  September. 

Although  I  gave  no  grounds  for  the  conviction,  those  of  the  regi- 
ment who  took  service  for  the  war,  appear  to  have  done  so  under  the 
conviction  that  they  would  thereby  become  entitled  to  the  fifty  dollars 
bounty,  which  is  offered  by  act  of  Congress  to  such  as  enlist  for  the 
war.  The  question  has  arisen  whether  they  are  really  entitled  to  this 
bounty  moiicy  who  have  enlisted  for  service  only  within  the  limits  of 
Louisiana,  or  at  the  utmost  within  this  military  department  No.  1, 
.and  I  have  the  honor  to  request  your  decision  upon  the  question. 
Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed,)  M.  LOVELL, 

Major   General  commanding. 


39 


(No.   49.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ) 

Headquarters  Department  No.  1.       ( 
New  Orleans,  La.,  January  16,  18G2.  S 
Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War  :  i 

Sir  :  In  compliance  with  your  telegram,  I  took  possession  yester- 
day of  the  following  steamers,  viz:  Mexico,  Texas,  Orizaba,  ('harks 
Morgan  Florida,  Arizona,  WiUiam  Ildnes,  Atlantic,  Austin,  Magnolia 
Matagorda,  Wtlliam  IF.  JVehb,  Anglo  Saxon,  and  Anglo  Norman,  fourteen 
in  all.  Captain  Huger  of  the  navy,  who  accompanied  the  party  that 
took  possession  of  the  ships,  thinks  the  Atlantic  will  hardly  answer 
as  a  war  vessels,  and  I  telegraphed  yesterday  to  know  whether  I 
should  substitute  the  Galveston  for  her.  After  the  ships  were  seized 
1  asked  Comodorc  Ilollins  to  take  charge  of  them  until  further  orders 
lu  this  connection  permit  me  to  call  attention  to  Caotain  Ilicrains 
who  lately  resigned,  with  a  view  of  fitting  out  some  of  those  v?°8el3 
tor  war  purposses,  under  State  authority.  This  seizure  puts  an  end 
to  his  business.  lie  is  an  officer  of  the  old  navy,  of  experience,  skill 
ami  high  reputationas  a  bold  and  efficient  officer,  llis  services  would 
be  of  great  value  in  assisting  to  fit  out  a  fleet  here,  and  in  firrhtinrr  it 
afterwards.  °        ° 

'vu-  ^^^  ^''^"0^3  reports  about  the  occupation  of  Biloxi  by  the  enemy 
Ihis  IS  a  mistake;  some  sixty  men  landed  there   last  week,  reaiaincd 
tor  a  tew  hours,  doing  no  damage,  and  returned   to  the  fleet.     They 
liave  no  footing  on  the  main  shore  as  yet. 

We  have  here  about   five   hundred  "prisoners   of  war,    who    are   a 
serious  nuisance.     Is  there  a  prospect  of  exchanging  them  ? 
Respectfully  sir,  y^ur  obedient  servant. 

(S'Sned,)  M.  LOVELL. 

Major  General  commanding. 


(No.  5(1.) 

TELEGRAM. 

New   Orleans,  January  21,  1862. 
To  Gen.  S.  Cooper,  Richmond: 

Is  General  Trimble  ordered  here  ;  if  so,  when  will  he  come  ? 

(^'g^^^^')  M.  LOVELL. 

answer. 

No  order  transferring  General  Trimble. 

(S'Sne^l)  S.  COOPER. 

Adjutant  and  Inspector  General. 


40 

(No.  51.) 

Confederate  States  of  Amertca, 

IVar  Department, 
Richmond,  January  24,  1862. 

Gen.  M.  Lovell,  Commanding  New  Orleans : 

Sir:  Your  letter  of  the  16th  instaiit  is  received.  In  reply  you 
are  informed  that  no  troops  who  are  enlisted  for  special  or  local 
service  only,  are  entitled  to  the  privileges  of  the  late  act  of  Congress, 
in  regard  to  bounty,  etc  ,  unless  they  re-enlist,  unconditionally,  for 
three  years  or  the  war. 

Respectfully, 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 
Secretary  of    War. 

P.  S.  By  *' unconditionally  "  I  mean  for  any  service  to  which  thej 
may  be  ordered. 


(No.  52.) 

C.  S.  A.,  War  Departsient,      > 
Richmond,    Jan.  27,  1862.  ] 

Sir  :  The  overwhelming  pressure  of  business  in  this  department 
causes  some  unavoidable  delay  in  correspondence, 

1  now  acknowledge  receipt  of  your  letters  of  I3th,  15th,  ICth  and 
17th  instants. 

I,  Your  letter  of  the  13th  disclosed  to  me  the  fact,  that,  by  some 
unaccountable  hallucination,  I  used  the  name  of  Gen.  Trimble  instead 
of  that  o£  Gen.  Ruggles  in  my  letter  of  6th  instant. 

My  intention  was  to  say  that  the  President  desired  you  to  place- 
Gen.  Rvggles  in  command  of  the  Mississippi  coast,  and  I  congratulate 
myself  that  this  strange  error  of  mine  has  not  produced  any  disastrous- 
result. 

I  have  read  in  the  same  letter,  with  great  interest,  your  plans  for 
the  defence  of  your  department,  and  am  rejoiced  to  find  that  your 
vigilance  leaves  no  exposed  point  without  protection. 

Your  powder  returns  show  less  supply  than  I  had  hoped,  but  stils* 
sufficient,  I  think,  to  relieve  us  of  apprehension  till  some  of  the  sup- 
plies daily  expected  shall  reach  us  from  some  quarter. 

II.  You  are  authorized  to  use  your  owh  discretion  in  relation  tO' 
the  planing  machine  and  lathe  in  the  Belleville  Iron  Works.  If  the 
owners  are  unwilling  to  part  with  them  by  sale  or  hire,  they  must  be 
impressed,  if  necessary,  for  the  public  service,  and  on  impressment 
you  should  give  the  owners  the  choice  whether  the  impressment  shall 
be  by  hire  or  purchase.  If  the  owners  wish,  however,  to  use  these 
machines  themselves,  I  do  not  think  the  imprfessmeut  would  be  jus- 
tifiable. 


41 

III.  The  map  and  letter  by  Col.  Davis  were  duly  received,  and  I 
thought  I  had  acknowledged  the  receipt  some  time  since. 

lY.  In  relation  to  the  distribution  of  arms  between  "war  men"  and 
"twelve  months'  men,"  although  as  a  general  rule  we  desire  the  best 
arms  given  to  the  former,  we  do  not  intend  to  preclude  you  from  the 
exercise  of  a  sound  discretion  in  any  exceptional  cases  such  as  you 
suggest. 

Y.  If  you  arrest  a  Federal  officer  as  n  spy,  he  is  to  be  put  to  death 
without  the  slightest  hesitation  in  accordance  with  the  articles  of  war. 
Tyler's  case,  to  which  you  refer,  was  not  that  of  a  spy;  he  did  not  go 
to  a  city  threatened  with  attack,  nor  for  any  hostile  purpose  ;  he  went 
simply  to  see  and  bring  away  his  wife,  and  it  would  have  been  a  bar- 
barous outrage  to  have  considered  or  treated  him  as  a  spy. 

YI.  I  have  instructed  Gen.  Joseph  E.  Johnston  to  open  negotiations 
with  McGlellan  by  flag  of  truce,  for  general  exchange  of  prisoners. 
As  soon  as  I  know  the  result,  I  will  try  to  relieve  you  of  your  pris- 
oners. 

VII.  I  have  organized  the  two  regiments,  and  made  the  nomina- 
tions, as  proposed  in  your  letter  of  17th  inst. 

VIII.  A  certain  Captain  W.  F.  McLean,  who  commanded  a  com- 
pany called  the  F>en  McCulloch  rangers  in  the  Wise  Legion,  was  sub- 
jected to  grave  charges  by  Gen.  Wise,  but  managed  by  some  means  to 
get  a  sick  leave  of  sixty  ^ys,  from  3d  instant,  without  the  knowledge 
of  his  General.  You  are  instructed  to  order  him  to  come  back  in- 
stantly and  submit  to  his  trial.  You  may  allow  him  to  resign  if  he 
prefers  to  do  so.     He  is  now  in  New  Orleans. 

I  am,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 
Seen  tart/  of  War. 
Maj.  Gen.  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans^  La. 


(No.  o3.) 

New  Orleans,  20th  January,  1863. 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War  : 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  t  our  "un- 
official, of  the  12th  instant,  and  this  evening,  by  Captain  MontgoiAery, 
your  note  of  the  13th.  I  fear  I  have  gone  almost  too  far  with  the 
Tennessee  matter  to  withdraA\  On  17th  December,  Major  Raina 
wrote  me  that  th.e  plan  proposed  was  acceptable  to  the  President  and 
yourself,  and  I  authorized  the  parties  to  go  to  work  at  once,  notifying 
you  by  telegraph — also  by  letter.  The  Tennessee  was  bought  for 
one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  of  which  we  are  to  guarantee  one-half 
in  case  of  capture.  Saltpetre  in  Europe  is  ten  cents  per.pound — hefe 
forty  cents,  and  in  case  she  brought  us  only  one  hundred  tons,  we 
should  save  not  less  than  sixty  thousand  dollars.  But  by  the  terms  of 
the  proposed  agreement  we  are  to  have  half  of  her  storage  on  the  re- 


42 

turn  voyage,  ■\\hich,  in  case  of  success,  -will  nctt  us  a  large  amount. 
If  it  is  impossible  to  obtain  the  necessary  credit  abroad,  I  may  be 
able  to  make  arrangements  with  parties  here  to  make  the  purchases, 
•we  to  pay  them  at  such  a  rate,  as  in  case  of  success,  to  reimburse  the 
fifty  thousand  dollars,  which  we  risk  by  way  of  guarantee.  I  inclose 
you  a  copy  of  a  letter  received  from  Major  Rains,  to-night,  which  con- 
firms me  in  my  favorable  view  of  the  proposed  plan.  Please  telegraph  > 
me  on  receipt  of  this,  and  say  whether  I  shall  make  the  best  terms  I 
can,  taking  it  for  granted  that  it  Avill  be  impossible  to  obtain  the  ne- 
cessary credits  abroad. 

The  party  who  ofi"ered  to  bring  in  seventy-five  tons  of  powder,  if 
we  advance  the  money,  under  bonds,  offers  E.  Ganthein  &  Co.,  of 
New  Orleans,  as  bondsmen.  I  objected  to  the  security,  but  he  says 
their  status  is  well  known  to  you  and  to  the  President,  and  wished 
me  to  advise  with  you. 

Mr.  Leo,  whom  I  sent  to  Texas  for  the  Vanderbilt  powder,  reports 
that  Gen.  Heberthad  takenhalf  of  it  without  examination.  Acting  under 
orders  from  me,  he  examined  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  boxes  of  the 
remainder,  rejecting  thirty  boxes,  as  being  ^' some  wet,  some  damp, 
and  others  lumpy."  When  he  gets  through  with  half,  he  will  go  to 
General  Hebert  to  carry  out  your  instructions  with  reference  to  the 
balance  of  the  cargo.  The  part  that  passed  inspection  was  shipped  to 
me  on  the  13th  instant,  from  Beaumont,  TejfSs,  via  New  Iberia. 

I  was  in  Mississippi  sound  yesterday,  made  a  close  reconnoissance 
of  the  enemy's  fleet,  and  found  twenty-four  vessels  at  the  island. 
Two  of  their  steamers  got  under  weigh  and  drove  us  back  to  Pass 
Christian.  Poloxi  is  not,  and  never  has  been,  occupied  by  the  enemy. 
They  came  ashore  with  sixty  men,  staid  for  a  few  hours  and  left. 
The  reports  about  outrages  and  communications  with  the  enemy  are 
grossly  exaggerated.  With  the  third  Mississippi  regiment  and  a  few- 
launches,  I  can  do  all  that  we  propose,  i.  e.,  prevent  marauding  par- 
ties from  landing,  negroes  from  escaping,  or  any  communication  with 
the  enemy.  Governor  Pettus,  under  authority  from  Richmond,  is 
mustering  in,  and  sending  here  some  companies  rather  poorly  armed 
and  equipped.  I  shall  have  to  complete  them  from  the  government 
stores  in  such  manner  as  to  make  them  effective.  I  have  sent  one  of 
ray  staff  to  Jackson  to  endeavor  to  make  such  arrangements  with  the 
Governor  as  will  conduce  to  some  more  systematic  concert  of  action. 
Some  of  the  State  organizations  allow  more  officers  to  a  company  than 
the  Confederate  law  permits,  and  where  the  companies  are  first  mustered 
into  the  State  service  and  then  transferred,  we  are  compelled  to  drop 
one  or  more  of  the  officers.  I  had  much  rather  send  an  officer  from 
here  to  muster  in  the  companies,  as  it  saves  trouble  in  the  end.  If  I 
do  not  need  the  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  thousand  dollars  placed 
to  my  credit,  I  will  advise  you  at  once.  I  have  to  thank  you  for  your 
prompt  and  considerate  attention  and  assistance  in  my  duties  here. 
It  gives  me  unbounded  satisfaction. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  M.   LOVELL, 

Major  General,  C.  S.  A. 


43 

Inclosure  in  the  foregoing, 

Nashville,  Tenn.,  January  17,  18G2. 

My  DEAR  L. :  It  feel  very  anxious  about  a  certain  matter.  The 
.amounts  received  now  are  less  than  what  they  were  two  month  since. 
It  is  absolutely  necessary  that  we  should  receive  supplies  from  other 
sources,  and  I  trust  the  arrangements  to  that  effect  will  be  speedily 
put  into  operation.  I  am  in  a  better  position  to  know  the  situation 
of  the  Confederacy  in  the  matter  in  question  than  any  other  person, 
and  you  will  understand  me  when  I  urge  the  absolute  necessity  of  in- 
creasing our  store.  It  is  in  vain  for  one  portion  of  the  country  to  be 
placed  in  a  secure  state  of  defence  and  broad  openings  left  at  the 
places.  The  safety  of  each  part  depends  at  last  on  the  security  of 
the  whole.  You  may  feel  entirely  safe  from  successful  attack,  but 
other  vital  points  have  not  your  resources,  and  their  necessities  must 
be  looked  after  without  delay.  The  Secretary  gave  me  full  powers  to 
make  and  authorize  any  contract  I  might  deem  necessary  in  my  de- 
partment, but  I  have  seen  no  prospect  so  promising,  wherever  I  have 
been,  as  the  one  we  spoke  of.  I  trust  you  will  bring  your  energy  to 
assist  in  the  matter.  It  is  more  vital  to  the  country  than  anything 
else  at  this  period. 

The  "certain  matter"  referred , to  in  the  beginning  of  the  above 
extract,  was  the  proposed  plan  for  obtaining  saltpetre,  which  I  sub- 
mitted to  you  through  Major  Rains,  in  December. 

(Signed,)  M.  L. 


(No  54.) 


CoNFEDFRATE    StaTES    OF    AmKRICA,  ^ 

Headquarters  Department  No.  1,  > 

New  Orleans,  22d  Jan.,  1862.  > 

Hon.  J,  r.  Ben.iamin,  Secretaiy  of  War: 

Sir  :  The  party  who  proposes  to  deliver  powder  here  at  one  dollar 
and  fourteen  cents  per  pound,  in  case  we  will  advance  the  money,  has 
furnished  as  his  bondsmen,  the  house  of  Charles  Kock  &  Co.,  of  New 
Orleans,  who  will  bind  themselves  to  refund  the  money  if  the  powder 
is  not  delivered  in  sixty  days.  The  security  is  ample,  as  they  have 
an  abundance  of  real  estate  in  this  City  and  State.  I  have  agreed, 
therefore,  to  advance  two-thirds  the  value  of  the  powder,  viz:  I$125, 
000;  the  balance  to  be  paid  on  tfcc  delivery  of  the  seventyseveA  and 
a  half  tons,  if  the  powder  passes  inspection.  Will  you  send  the  mo- 
ney here  to  me,  or  shall  1  draw  upon  Richmond  for  it;  if  so  upon 
whom,     l^lease  let  me  have  your  answer  by  telegraph. 

Respectfully,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

(Signed)  M.  LOVELL, 

Maj.  Gen,  Command'.ng. 


44 

(No.  55.) 

Confederate  States  of  Americv,  j 

Headquarters  Department  No.  1 ,       \ 

New  OrleaQs,  La.,  Jan.  2S,  1862.  ) 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War: 

SrR :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of 
the  1 9th  instant,  by  Captain  Townsend,  relative  to  the  plan  for  floating 
defences  on  the  western  waters. 

The  foul  teen  vessels  named  in  your  telegram,  were  seized  and  ap- 
praised by  a  board  consisting  of  Messrs  Bogart,  Stephenson  Frost, 
Grinnel,  Milliken  and  the  naval  constructor  Porter.  Several  of  the 
vessels  were  costly  and  could  be  replaced  by  others  equally  well 
adapted  to  the  contemplated  service  at  much  less  expense.  I  have, 
therefore,  caused  those  changes  to  be  made  reducing  the  value  of  the 
seizures  from  $9U0,()UU  to  $620,000,  and  the  ships  we  have  areas 
good,  or  better  for  what  w^e  want  that  those  named.  The  parties  own- 
ing these  ships  are  anxious  to  be  paid  at  once,  as  in  some  instances 
agreements  had  been  made  for  their  sale.  Are  these  appraised  values 
to  be  paid  out  of  the  appropriation  of  one  million,  made  by  act  of  9th 
January,  1862,  or  is  that  money  Ui  be  expended  for  altering,  fitting 
up,  payment  and  subsistence  of  oifxcers  and  men.  If  the  latter,  how 
shall  I  pay  the  owners  who  are  clamorous  for  their  money.  If  the 
former,  one  million  dollars  is  not  enough.  The  fourteen  vessels 
named  in  your  telegram  would  alone  have  coit  nearly  that  sum.  I 
think  it  advisable  that  the  captains  should  recommend  to  the  Presi- 
dent some  competent  person  to  have  general  control  of  the  fleet,  in 
fitting  it  out  and  making  general  rules  and  orders  for  its  control  and 
management.  Fourteen  Mississippi  river  captiuns  and  pilots  Avill 
never  agree  about  anything  after  they  once  get  under  weigh.  More- 
over, as  each  ship  will  carry  one  gun,  there  will  be  some  necessary 
arrangements  for  munitions  of  war,  signals,  &c.,  &c. 

They  have  already  got  to  work  upon  some  of  the  ships.  I  will 
send  you  a  list  of  their  names,  with  valuations,  as  soon  as  I  recieve 
the  official  report  of  the  appraisers. 

I  sent  Mr.  Lee  to  Texas  for  the  Vanderbilt  powder.  Gen.  Ilebert, 
acting,  as  he  says,  under  necessity,  had  taken  half  the  powder,  and 
taking  into  consideration  all  the  circumstances,  of  their  distance, 
their  want  of  local  means  and  other  facilities,  I  think  it  is  about  as 
well  that  he  has  done  so.  The  other  half  is  en  route  for  this  point 
and  will  arrive  in  a  week  or  ten  days.  Some  forty  boxes  are  wet,  but 
these  can  be  worked  over  at  our  mills. 

The  securities  proposed  by  Mr.  Angoman  (Charles  Kock  &  Co.) 
have  withdrawn  their  names,  as  they  consider  it  impossible  for  him  to 
bring  in  the  seventy-five  tons  of  powder.  The  steamer  Calhoun,  on 
her  way  here  from  Havana  with  fifty  thousand  pounda  powder,  four 
hundred  bags  of  coff'ee,  &c.,  was  abandoned  last  week  near  the  mouth 
of  the  river,  most  unnecessarily  and  timidly,  and  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemy.     She  will  prove  a  great  pest  on  the  coast,  as  she  is  very 


45 

fast  and  of  light  draught.  Her  crew  tried  to  set  her  on  fire,  but  in 
their  fright  and  haste  they  failed  to  do  so  effectually.-  It  was  an  un- 
fortunate piece  of  business. 

I  sent  Gen.  Johnston,  after  the  defeat  of  Crittenden,  two  hundred 
thousand  cartridges,  four  hundred  double  barreled  shot  guns  and  six- 
teen tons  of  lead,  as  he  telegraphed  me  he  was  out  of  that  article.  I 
will  also  send  up  to  him  the  five  Mississippi  Companies  that  Governor 
Pettus  sent  me  for  coast  defence,  when  it  was  understood  that  General 
Polk  had  declined  to  send  back  the  3d  Mississippi  regiment,  as  soon 
as  I  can  have  them  put  through  the  measles,  a  process  which  they  are 
now  undergoing,  one  half  of  them  now  being  sick. 

In  your  letter  of  the  6th  instant,  you  indicated  particularly  the 
duties  which  it  was  proposed  to  assign  to  Gen.  Trimble,  but  he  has 
never  made  his  appearance  here  as  yet.  The  nature  of  the  proposed 
duty  requires  a  young  and  active  man,  but  I  will  gladly  receive  any 
assistance  that  you  can  spare.  General  Cooper  telegraphs,  in  reply 
to  my  question,  that  no  order  has  been  issued  transferring  General 
Trimble  to  this  department.     There  must  be  some  mistake  about  it. 

I  beg  that  you  will  advise  me  at  your  early  convenience  as  to  the 
time  and  means  of  paying  for  the  steamers  seized  here,  as  the  parties 
annoy  me  considerably. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  M.  LOVELL, 

Major  General,  commanding. 


{  No.  56.] 

Richmond,  January  28,  1862. 
Gen.  M.  Lovfll,  Neio  Orleans: 

Your  letter  of  20th  received.  Make  the  best  arrangements  you 
can  for  the  Tennessee.  It  is  impossible  to  put  credits  abroad,  but  we 
can  make  any  proper  advances  on  this  side. 

(Signed,)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

S'cretary  of  War. 


(No.  57.) 

New  Orleans,  January  30,  1863. 
Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin  : 

Can  the  navy  department  give  up   any  cutlasses   and  pistols  for 
river  flotilla ;  if  so,  how  many  ? 

M.  LOVELL. 


46 

(No.  53.) 

Richmond,  January  30,  1862. 
Gen.  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans : 

Remittance  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  thousand  dollars  is  now 
on  way  to  you  to  pay  for  povrder.     1  write  to  day. 

(Signed,)  J.  P.  BFNJAMIN, 

Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  59.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ^ 

War    Department,       \ 

Richmond,  January  30,  1862   ) 

Maj.  Gen.  M.  Lovell,  Nw  Orleans: 

Sir:     I  have  your  letters  of  20th  and  22d  instant. 

I  sent  you  a  dispatch  in  relation  to  the  Tennessee,  and  now  repeat 
the  authority  to  make  the  hest  bargain  you  can  with  the  owners  for 
sharing  in  the  adventure,  so  that  we  may  have  half  of  the  return 
tonnage  for  saltpetre.  Let  me,  however,  caution  you  on  one  point. 
If  they  have  all  the  profits  of  an  outward  cargo  of  cotton,  we  ought 
not  to  be  expected  to  bear  any  of  the  risk  of  going  out,  if  we  take 
half  of  the  risk,  we  must  have  half  the  profits.  If  we  are  to  share 
only  in  the  return  cargo,  we  must  only  share  the  return  risk. 

Your  proposal  of  Charles  Kock  &  Co.,  for  sureties  for  the  contract 
for  powder,  is  quite  satisfactory.  Before  getting  your  letter,  I  had 
drawn  in  your  favor  for  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  thousand  dollars 
to  cover  cost  of  seventy- five  tons  of  powder,  and  the  money  must  now 
be  in  your  hands.  As,  however,  your  advance  is  only  one  hundred 
and  twenty-five  thousand  dollars,  you  will  have  a  surplus  of  seventy 
thousand  dollars,  most  of  which  you  will  require  for  settlement  for 
powder  per  Vanderbilt. 

I  got  a  letter  from  Mr.  Sumner,  proposing  to  receive  in  part  pay- 
ment of  the  powder,  per  Vanderbilt,  one  hundred  and  twenty  thou- 
sand dollars  in  eight  per  cent,  bonds.  This  suits  us  much  better  than 
issuing  treasury  notes.  I  accordingly  drew  a  warrant  on  treasury,  in 
your  favor,  for  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  thousand  five  hundred 
dollars,  of  which  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand  dollars  in  eight 
per  cent,  bonds,  and  seven  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  in  treasury 
notes.  In  settling  with  the  owners  of  the  Vanderbilt  powder,  there- 
fore, you  will  give  them  the  bonds  and  the  balance  only  in  treasury 
notes. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 
Secretary  of  War. 


47  « 

(No   60.) 

CoNFEDEK^^E    StaTES    OF    AmERICA,  J 

%  Headquarters,  Department  No.  1 ,      \ 

New  Orleans,  La.,  Feb.  1,  1862.  ) 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War: 

Sir:  I  received  a  telegram  from  3^011  yesterday,  stating  that  one 
hundred  and  ninety-five  thousand  dollars  was  now  on  the  way  here 
for  me  to  pay  for  powder.  The  fact  that  this  is  the  exact  amount 
placed  to  my  credit  already,  in  answer  to  my  request  for  money  to 
carry  out  the  arrangement  with  the  steamer  Tennessee,  for  arms  and 
powder,  induces  me  to  write  and  say,  that  I  have  already  entered  into 
the  arrangement  with  the  Tennessee,  and  that  this  sum  is  not  availa- 
ble to  pay  for  the  powder  by  the  Vandcrbilt.  It  may  he  that  the  co- 
incidence is  accidental,  but  I  think  it  safest  to  advise  you.  I  will 
send  on  a  copy  of  my  agreement  with  owners  of  Tennessee  in  a  few 
days,  by  which  you  will  see  that  we  get  two  hundred  thousand  dollars 
in  Havre,  by  depositing  one  hundred  thousand  here,  and  insuring 
half  the  ship,  fifty  thousand  dollars,  in  case  of  capture.  On  the  re- 
turn cargo  we  take  the  risk  of  first  cost  and  half  the  value  of  ship  in 
case  of  capture,  the  powder  to  be  delivered  at  one  hundred  per  cent., 
and  the  arms  at  fifty  per  cent,  above  invoice  price.  As  a  money 
transaction,  I  have  calculated  that  it  results  in  our  favor  largely  more 
than  in  risk. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed,)  M.  LOVELL, 

Major  Gemral  commanding^ 


(No.  61.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ^ 

Headquarters  Department  No.  1,       y 

New  Orleans,  La.,  4th  Feb.,  1862.  ) 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War  : 

Sir :  On  the  30th  ultimo  your  telegram  stated  '•  one  hundred  and 
ninety-five  thousand  dollars  was  on  its  way  to  me  to  pay  for  powder." 
When  the  drafts  arrived,  one  was  for  one  hundred  and  twenty  thou- 
sand dollars,  and  the  other  for  seven  thousand  five  hundred  dollars, 
instead  of  seventy-five  thousand  dollars,  the  sum  necessary  to  make  up 
the  total  stated  by  you.  I  have  no  doubt  that  it  was  the  intention  to 
make  it  the  latter  sum,  as  the  estimated  value  of  the  cargo  of  the 
Vandcrbilt  was  more  than  one  hundred  and  eighty  thousand  dollars, 
which,  with  the  transportation  to  this  point,  wou'd  bring  it  up  to  the 
sum  named  by  you. 

As  General  Hebert  has  taken  half  of  the  powder,  T  shall  not  pay 
for  the  whole  until  I  hear  from  him  what  part  of  his  half  was  dam- 


•  48 

aged.     In  the  part  received  by  me  there  were  forty  boxes  more  or 
less  damaged. 

The  draft  for  one  hundred  and  ffwenty  thousand  dollars  was  drawn 
upon  the  Treasurer  at  Richmond,  and  Mr.  Guivot  will  not,  of  course, 
pay  it  here.     1  return  it  to  Mr.  Elmore  to-day. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  M.  LOVELL, 

Major  General,  Commanding. 


(No.  62.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ^ 

Headquarters  Department  No.  1,       \ 

New  Orleans,  La.,  6th  Feb.,  1862.  ) 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War  : 

Sir :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  your  letters  of 
27th  and  3()th  ultimo. 

With  regard  to  General  Ruggles'  assignment  to  the  duty  of  caring 
for  the  Mississippi  coast,  I  think  it  would  be  exceedingly  unadvisable. 
His  services  in  organizing  a  brigade  of  five  regiments  as  a  movable 
force  to  any  point  of  the  Department,  are  more  valuable  than  they 
would  be  on  the  coast.  Neither  his  age  nor  his  rank  are  exactly  in 
conformity  with  outpost  duty,  in  command  of  two  regiments.  He 
would  feel  mortified,  I  am  sure,  at  such  an  assignment.  I  can  manage 
matters  better  by  leaving  them  as  at  present.  With  ten  thousand 
men  in  this  department,  and  a  long  extent  of  coast  to  guard,  I  would 
recommend  the  appointment  of  a  brigadier  general  from  Mississippi 
for  duty  on  that  pxrt  of  the  line.  I  have  but  two  here,  while  in  the 
department  of  Mobile,  (General  Bragg's,)  I  learn  there  are  not  less 
than  five  or  six  officers  of  that  grade. 

II.  I  have  just  received  the  first  installment  of  powder  by  Vander- 
bilt,  and  on  testing  it  I  found  it  much  below  range.  In  justice  to 
the  service  it  should  be  worked  over  again.  I  will  probably  reject  it; 
certainly  at  two  dollars  per  pound. 

III.  The  Federal  prisoners,  four  hundred  and  ninety-three  in  num- 
ber, will  leave  to-day  for  Salisbury,  North  Carolina,  pursuant  to  tele- 
graphic»order  from  General  Cooper. 

IV.  I  look  daily  for  appointments  of  officers  in  the  new  rEgiments. 
Major  Lovell's  resignation  has  been  accepted  but  not  his  new  appoint- 
ment. As  he  is  coHrstantly  on  important  duty,  giving  orders,  &c,,  it 
is  a  little  awkward,  but  he  continues  at  work.  At  the  written  request 
of  Captains  Montgomery  and  Townsend,  I  have  placed  him  in  charge 
of  the  ordnance  and  disbursements  of  their  expedition. 

V.  After  careful  search  and  enquiry,  we  can  find  nothing  of  Cap- 
tain W.  F.  McLean,  alluded  to  in  your  letter  of  27th  January.  When 
found  I  will  act  as  advised  by  you. 

VI.  Your  impressions  about  the  arrangement  with  steamer  Tennes- 
see are  not  quite  correct.     We  take  no  risk  on  the  cotton  at  all,  but 


49 

guarantee  fifty  thousand  dollars  on  the.  ship  in  case  of  capture  on  out- 
ward voyage ;  and  in  case  she  arrives  in  Havre,  (the  chances  of 
which  are  largely  in  our  favor,)  we  receive  fifty  thousand  dollars  in 
the  shape  of  exchange,  as  the  parties  buy  for  us  there  two  hundred 
thousand  dollars  worth  of  arms  and  munitions.  We  thus  risk  the  loss 
of  fifty  thousand  dollars  for  the  certain  receipt  of  that  amount  in  case 
of  success,  as  it  would  cost  us  that  sum  to  get  a  credit  of  two  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars  in  France.  On  the  return  we  take  a  risk  of 
fifty  thousand  dollars  on  the  ship  and  two  hundred  thousand  dollars' 
on  the  cargo  ;  hut  the  prices,  if  delivered,  are  so  arranged  that  in 
case  of  success  we  should  save  more  than  three  hundred  thousand 
dollars  on  present  prices  of  arms  and  powder. 

YII.  I  had  no  knowledge  of  the  arrangement  with  Mr.  Sumner 
about  the  bonds,  and  therefore  got  the  draft  for  one  hundred  and 
twenty  thousand  dollars  cashed  here.  No  bonds  came  to  me,  nothing 
but  two  drafts,  one  for  seven  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  on  assist- 
ant treasurer  here,  the  other  for  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand 
dollars  on  Treasurer  at  Richmond.  There  must  have  been  a-  mistake 
on  his  part  in  carrying  out  your  views. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  '•  M.  LOVELL, 

Major  General  commanding 


(No.  03.) 

^  TELEGRAM. 

New  Orleans,  Feb.  7,  1862. 
To  Gen.  S.  Cooper  : 

Is  appointtnettt   of  F.    S.     Ruggles    as  brigade   commissary    con- 
firmed ? 

M.   LOVELL. 


(No.  64.) 

C.  S.  A.,  War  Department,  ) 
Richmond,  Feb.  8,  1862.      5 
Sir  :  The  President  desires  that,  as   soon  as  possible,  on  receipt  of 
this  letter,  you  dispatch  five  thousand  men  to  Columbus  to  re-enforce 
that  point  sorely  threatened  by  largely  superior  forces.     The  menac- 
ing aspect  of  affairs  in  Kentucky  has  induced  the  withdrawal   from 
points,  not  in  immediate  danger,  of  every  man  that  can  be  spared,  to 
prevent  the  enemy  from  penetrating  into  Tennessee   or  passing  Col- 
umbus.    A  draft  has  been  made  on  General  Bragg  ;  four  regiments 
have  been  ordered  from  Virginia,  together  Avith  several  batteries,  and 
4 


50 

vith  the  number  now  required  from  your  coraoiand,  we  hope  to  stem 
the  tide  until  the  new  levies  called  out  from  the  State  shall  be  in  con- 
dition to  take  the  field. 

New  Orleans  is  to  be  defended  from  above  by  defeating  the  enemy 
at  Columbus ;  the  forces  now  withdrawn  from  you  are  for  the  defence 
of  your  own  command,  and  the  exigencies  of  the  public' defence  allow 
us  no  alternative. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 


Maj.  Gen.  M.  Lovels>,  New  Orleans, 


(No.  65.) 


Secretary  of  War. 


0 

RrcuMOND,  Feb.  9,  1862. 


MaJ.  Gen.  M.  Lovell,  Neiu  Orleans. 

I  have  written  you  to-day  by  President's  direction  to  send  imme- 
diately five  thousand  of  your  best  equipped  men  to  Columbus,  to  re- 
inforce General  Beauregard. 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Secretary  of  War.. 


(No.  66.) 

New  Orleans,  Feb.  II,  1862. 
^Hon,  J.  P.  Benjamin  : 

Please  send  appointment  of  field  officers  ;  their  services  are  needed 
fjr  the  two  regiments. 

M.  LOVELL. 


(No.  67.) 

Headquarters,  Department  No.  I,  ) 

Neiv  Orleans,  Feb.  12,  1862.  3 

Ifon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War  : 

Sir  :  I  received,  yesterday,  your  dispatch  directing  me  to  send 
five  thousand  men  to  Columbus.  I  have  already  sent  one  the  (13th,) 
and  shall  move  five  more  regiments  in  two  days,  (Ruggles'  entire 
brigade,)  with  a  field  battery.  I  shall  order  General  Ruggles  to  go 
on,  in  command  of  them,  and  shall  go  to  work  at  once  to  endeavor  to 
organize  a  force  for  the  defence  of  the  interior  lines  from  the  volun- 


51 

teers  and  militia  of  this  city  and  State.  Unfortunately  the  legisla- 
ture passed  a  law  at  its  late  session  re-organizing  the  whole  militia, 
which  has  to  be  done  at  a  very  inconvenient  ir.oment,  but  I  am  in 
hopes  that  most  of  the  volunteers  will  elect  their  company  and  field 
officers,  on  the  instant,  so  that  we  shall  soon  have  a  force  on  hand. 
I  regret  the  necessity  of  sending  away  my  only  force,  at  this  particu- 
lar juncture,  and  feel  sure  that  it  will  create  a  great  panic  hero,  but 
will  do  my  best  to  restore  confidence  by  a  show  of  strength. 

Yau  have  never  sent  me  any  orders  about  the 'distribution  of  the 
Vanderbilt's  powder.  General  Hebert  has  one  half;  and  a  part  of 
the  remainder  arrived  here  lately.  On  proof,  it  was  found  to  lack  15 
per  cent,  of  saltpetre,  but  I  can  work  it  all  over  in  12  days  and  make 
it  into  good  powder.  We  shall  have  about  40,000  lbs.  I  gave 
Commodore  ITollins  3,500  lbs.  of  my  own  stock  to  go  up  the  river ; 
and  General  Bragg  has  sent  to  me  for  some  of  that  by  the  Vanderbilt. 
I  shall  make  it  go  %  far  as  I  can. 

Ref-pectfully,  your  obodient  servant, 

M.  LOYELL, 
Major  General  Commanding. 

P.  S. — I  borrowed  from  the  navy  two  launches  armed  with  one  gun 
each,  which  1  manned  with  crews  from  the  3d  Mississppi  regiment, 
and  stationed,  one  in  Bay  St.  Luies  and  one  in  Biloxi  Bay.  The 
Secretary  of  the  Navy  requires  that  they  be  returned  to  Mobile, 
whence  they  came.  Such  accessories  are  very  necessary  on  that 
coast,  and  I  should  like  to  have  authority  to  use  any  funds  that  may 
be  in  my  hands  to  construct  two  more  to  replace  those  I  have. 

I  can  get  no  assistance  from  the  navy  as  they  have  no  founds. 


(No.  68.) 

IIeadquartkrs  Department  No.  ],} 
New  Orleans,  Feb.  15,  1863.      S 

lion.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War,  Richmond:  ^. 

Sir:  I  have  at  last  found  Captain  W.  F.  McLean,  Ben  McCulloch 
Rangers,  whom  I  stated  in  a  former  letter  that  I  had  been  unable  to 
find,  and  according  to  your  instructions  I  have  ordered  him  to  proceed 
immediately  to  Richmond  and  report  to  the  Adjutant  General,  He 
would  not  accept  your  permission  to  resign.  There  are  five  hundred 
blankets  remaining  here  which  were  not  issued  to  the  prisoners  of  war 
when  the  other  articles  sent  by  the  United  States  Government  were 
distributed.  I  had  ordered  a  supply  of  blankets,  comforts,  etc.,  to  be 
given  the  prisoners  before  the  receipt  of  the  clothing  from  the  North,, 
and  therefore  withheld  the  issue  of  these  blankets.  I  have  now  to- 
request  that  you  will  instruct  me  whether  I  shall  turn  the^e  blankets 
in  to  the  quartermaster  to  replace  those  I  ordered  to  be  issued,  or 
forward  them  to  Salisbury,' N.  C,  whither  the  prisoners  have  been 
removed. 


oz 


The  *'  Victoria  "  propeller  schooner  has  run  into  Barratannia  Bay, 
\vith  some  powder  and  a   small  quantity  of  arms,  but  I   have  not  yet 
been  able  to  learn  the  exact  amount. 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

M.  LOVELL, 
Major  General  commanding. 


(No.  69.) 

Richmond,  February  16,  1862. 
General  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans: 

Send  every  musket  received  by  the  Victoria  afbnce  to  Grand  Junc- 
tion, subject  to  orders  of  General  A.  S.  Johnston.  Send  an  agent 
with  them  to  force  them  forward  by  express.  Inform  General  John- 
ston of  what  you  have  done,  and  of  the  kind  of  arms,  and  such  details 
as  will  enable  him  to  prepare  ammunition  for  them  in  advance. 
Inform  me  of  what  you  do,  and  of  the  number  of  arms  sent. 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  70.) 

Richmond,  February  16,  1862. 
KJeneral  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans: 

Your  letter  of  6th  received.  Your  course  in  relation  to  General 
Ruggles  is  approved.  If  you  have  not  yet  sent  the  troops  to  Colum- 
bus as  advised  by  my  dispatch,  let  them  stop  at  Memphis,  and  send 
telegram  so  informing  General  A.  S.  Johnston.  The  great  line  of 
attack  by  the  Cumberland  river  may  make  it  necessary  to  send  the 
itroops  Eastward  from  Memphis,  instead  of  sending  them  to  Columbus. 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Secretary  of  Wa7: 


(No.  71.) 

New  Orleans,  February  21,  1862. 
Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin: 

The  Victoria  has  one  hundred  and  fifty  (150)   guns,  and  twenty 
thousand  (20,000)  pounds  powder.     Wha\  price  shall  I  pay  ? 

M.  LOVELL. 


•53 

(No.  72.) 
New  Orleans,  February  21,  1862. 


J.  P.  Benjamin 


There  are  but  one  hundred  and  fifty  (  150)  guns,  and  twenty  thou- 
sand (  20, 000)  pounds  powder  on  Victoria.  Have  sent  four  (  4  )  regi- 
ments to  Corinth. 

M.  LOVELL. 


(No.  73.) 

New  Orleans,  February  21,  18G2. 
J.  P.  Benjamin  : 

Who  fixes  the  rates  of  pay  of  men  for  Montgomery's  expedition? 
Shall  I  give  a  month's  advance. 

M.  LOVELL. 


(No.  74.) 
New  Orleans,  February  21,  1862. 


Hon.  J.  P.  BenjaxMin 


Steamer  Miramon  has  arrived  with  twenty  thousand  (20,000)  pounds 
powder,  and  four  hundred  (400)  guns. 

M.  LOVELL. 


(No.  75.) 

Richmond,  February  23,  1862. 

General  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans: 

Seize  all  the  powder  on  the  Victoria   and   Miramon,  paying  for  it 
two  dollars  per  pound,  if  of  full  proof,  and  making  a  rateable  deduction 
if  not  proof    Send  twenty  thousand  pounds  of  cannon  powder  here  by 
special  agent,  with  instructions  to  force  it  through  without  an  hour's - 
delav. 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 
Secretary  of  War. 


5-1 

(No.  76.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ^ 

War  Depa'-tment,  > 

•      Richmond,  February  23,  1862.      ) 

Maj.  Gen.  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans: 

Sir:  I  am  in  arrears  v/ith  my  correspondence,  but  the  pressure  on 
this  department  is  so  intense  that  I  cannot  always  be  punctual.  I 
have  your  letters  of  2Sth  ultimo,  and  1 6th  and  12th  instant.  I  await 
your  returns  of  the  list  and  appraisement  of  the  steamers  prepared  for 
defence  of  ]Mississippi  river.  I  will  then  take  immediate  measures 
for  payment. 

Pray  let  me  know  immediately  on  receipt  of  this  (and  by  telegraph, 
if  necessary,)  when  the  boats  will  be  ready,  and  if  they  have  full 
crews,  and  their  armament.    Also  the  names  of  commanders,  &c. 

The  change  you  have  made  in  regard  to  General  Ruggles  is  fully 
approved.  The  order  for  the  defence  of  the  Mississippi  coast  was 
issued  against  my  judgment,  but  the  urgency  of  the  members  from 
that  State  on  the  President  was  so  great  that  it  was  not  politic  to  re- 
fuse at  the  time  to  gratify  their  wish.  Events  have  shown  how  un- 
reasonable was  their  demand,  and  we  must  dismiss  all  idea  of  scatter- 
ing our  force  in  defence  of  unimportant  points,  and  concentrate  them 
at  vital  lines. 

3.  The  appointments  of  the  officers  in  the  new  regiments  arc  all 
complete,  but  the  number  submitted  to  Congress  and  confirmed  at  the 
last  session  was  so  gi'eat,  that  I  am  not  yet  able  to  send  them  all. 
They  are  confirmed,  however,  and  you  can  assign  to  them  their  com- 
mands. 

4.  I  am  very  much  pleased  with  your  arrangement  about  the  Ten- 
nessee and  hope  she  has  got  out  safely. 

5.  You  are  authorized  to  use  any  funds  in  your  hands  for  the  con- 
struction of  two  launches  to  replace  those  borrowed  from  the  Navy 
for  guarding  the  Mississippi  coast. 

6.  I  dispatched  to-day  to  impress  all  powder  by  Miramon  and  Victo- 
ria, I  don't  want  you  to  let  an  ounce  of  powder,  or  any  arms  or  muni- 
tions of  war  escape  you  at  any  time.     They  are  a  matter  of  life  and 

'death  to  us,  and  scarcely  any  price  is  too  much  to  pay  till  our  people  are 
.armed,  although,  of  course,  I  desire  to  save  every  dollar  we  can. 

I  inclose  you  a  letter  to  General  Ilebert,  which  you  will  please 
forward  by  special  express.  I  leave  it  open  that  you  may  understand 
the  policy  of  the  government. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 
Secretary  of  War. 


55 

(No.  77.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ) 

War  Department,  ^ 

Richmond,  February  24,  1862.      3 

Major  General  M.  Loveli.,  New  Orleans: 

Sir  :  Your  snggoctions  in  regard  to  the  m-odfe  of  supplying  newly 
mustered  regiments,  with  surgeons  and  assistant  surgeons  during  the 
period  before  actual  appointment,  are  approved  as  regards  the  tem- 
porary arrangement.  But  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  the  surgeons 
and  assistant  surgeons  tlien  appointed  must  still  submit  to  the  regular 
examination  bj  the  medical  board,  as  appointed  by  the  Surgeon  Gen- 
•eral.  The'preliminar}'  examination,  which  you  propose  to  institute, 
€ver  proper  in  itself,  cannot,  of  course,  replace  th  eofficial  examination 
required  by  la\v 

Respcctfullji, 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Secretary  of  War, 


(No.  78.) 

•Confederate  States  of  America,  ^ 

War  Department,  ^ 

Richmond,  February  2G,  1862.       ) 

Major  General  M.  Lovell, 

Commanding  at  New  Orleans,  La.  : 

Sir:  Your  letter  of   the    15th   instant,  has  been   received.     Tlie 
blankets  remaining  on  hand,  which  were  sent  by  the  United  States 
Government,  and  were  not  issued  to  the  prisoners  of  war,  should  be 
^raed  -over  to  the  quartermaster  at  New  Orleans. 
Respectfully, 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Sxretary  of  War. 


(No.  79.) 


/ 


New  Orleans,  February  26,  1862, 

J,  r.  Benjamin: 

Please  delay  confirmation  of  Captain  of  river  expedition  until  you 
iiear  from  here. 

M.  LOVELL. 


5Q 

(No.  80.) 

New  Orle.\ns,  February  26,  1862. 

lion.  J.  P.  BE>JAMrN; 

What  arrangements  to  pay  for  vessels  for  river  defences.     Parties 
vant  money  badly  on  account  of  losses  in  running  blockade. 

M.  LOYELL^ 


(No.  81.) 

Headquarters  Department  No.  1,       > 
.     New  Orleans,  27th  1^'eb.,  1862.  j 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin^  Secretary  of  War  : 

I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  since  my  last  letter  I  have  sent  for- 
ward to  Tennessee  Ruggles'  brigade  of  four  regiments,  with  a  battery 
of  six  field  guns,  also  a  new  company  of  artillery,  (Vaiden's,)  witb 
six  guns  and  their  harness  and  equipments.  Yesterday  the  fourth 
Louisiana,  and  to-day  the  seventh  Mississippi  moved  to  the  same  des- 
tination. The  twentieth  Louisiana  regiment  was  mustered  for  State- 
service,  but  not  wishing  to  remain  behind,  eight  companies  have  reor- 
ganized for  the  war,  and  I  shall  send  that  regiment  on  in  a  few  days. 
This  will  make  a  total  of  eight  regiments  and  two  batteries  from  the 
department,  besides  a  quantity  of  shot  guns  (five  hundred)  and  a  mil- 
lion of  cartridges.  People  are"  beginning  to  complain  that  I  have 
stripped  the  department  so  completely,  but  I  have  called  upon  Gov- 
ernor Moore  for  ten  thousand  volunteers  and  militia  for  State  service. 
E.aw  troops  with  doubled  .barrelled  shot  guns  are  amply  sufficient  to 
hold  our  entrenchments  against  such  troops  as  the  enemy  can  send  to- 
attack  them.  Besides  1  regard  Butler's  Ship  Island  expedition  as  a 
harmless  menace  so  far  as  New  Orleans  is  concerned.  A  black  re- 
publican dynasty  will  never  give  an  old  Breckinridge  democrat  like 
Butler  command  of  any  expedition  which  they  had  any  idea  would 
result  in  such  a  glorious  success  as  the  capture  of  New  Orleans,  He 
will  not  have  ten  thousand  men  for  a  demonstration  by  land  upon  any 
of  the  gulf  cities. 

IL  Bowling  Green  has  been  turned  by  the  Cumberland  river,  as  I 
predicted,  in  the  plan  which  I  submitted  to  you  early  in  October,, 
although  at  ^hat  time  they  had  no  such  men  there  as  Buell  and  Hal- 
leek  to  command  such  an  operation. 

111.  I  fransmitted  to  you  in  January  a  letter  of  Captain  Buchel, 
in  reference  to  a  draft  that  he  had  drawn  in  Texas,  for  supplies  to 
subsist  troops,  and  asked  your  instructions  ;  since  then  the  draft  was 
presented,  and  I  paid  it  in  specie,  out  of  the  funds  in  my  hands.  Had 
it  been  protested,  our  troops  on  the  Rio  Grande  could  not  have  re- 
ceived provisions.     I  hope  it  meets  your  approval. 


67 

IV.  The  river  defence  expedition  is  progressing  favorably,  but  con- 
siderable dissatisfaction  has  been  expressed  here  at  some  of  the  ap- 
pointments made  by  Montgomery  and  Townsend.  The  matter  -will  be 
put  before  you  by  some  citizens  of  this  place.  I  have  disbursed  about 
half  of  the  three  hundred  thousand  dollars  placed  to  my  credit  on  that 
appropriation,  and  large  amounts  are  dije.  I  tiust  that  there  will  be 
no  delay  from  want  of  funds  to  keep  the  works  from  being  driven  for- 
ward with  all  despatch.  Time  is  an  important  element  at  this  junc- 
ture. 

V.  In  view  of  the  constant  demands  from  all  points  upon  me  for 
munitions,  repairs  of  arms,  etc.,  and  the  defenceless  condition  of  our 
workshops  and  machinery  at  Nashville  and  Baton  llouge,  I  oidered 
preparations  at  the  ncAv  marine  hospital  to  be  made  for  carrying  on 
all  such  operations  on  a  considerable  scale,  and  directed  an  estimate 
for  funds  to  be  made  by  Captain  Lambert,  which  was  returned  by 
Colonel  Gorgas,  with  the  remark  that  "  he  did  not  comtemplate  having 
a  laboratory  here."  The  necessities  of  the  public  service  in  my  judg- 
ment demand  all  and  much  more  than  I  have  done  to  keep  pace  with 
the  requisitions  daily  made.  I  have  fifteen  gunsmiths  at  work  putting 
in  order  the  old  weapons  of  all  kinds  collected  from  the  country,  and 
am  preparing  ammunition  and  implements  for  artillery,  which  I  cnn- 
not  get  elsewhere  ;  indeed  I  have  furnished  Generals  Johnston  and 
Polk  with  large  supplies,  and  hope  that  nothing  will  be  permitted  to 
interfere  with  operations  so  necessary  to  our  salvation.  If  I  cannot 
get  the  funds  from  Richmond,  I  must  throw  myself  upon  the  gene- 
rosity of  the  people  of  the  city.  The  work  must  go  on  unless  you 
order  it  to  be  suspended.  Knowing  the  immense  pressure  upon  your 
time,  and  trusting  that  you  had  confidence  in  my  judgment,  I  have 
assumed  a  good  deal  of  responsibility  and  gone  on  with  matters  which 
I  conceived  to  be  important  for  the  public  good,  without  referring 
every  trifle  to  you  for  consideration.  If  you  wish  me  to  pursue  a 
different  course,  please  indicate  your  view.  Whatever  has  been  done 
has  been  upon  principles  of  a  sound  and  wise  economy,  and  has  thus 
far  produced  beneficial  results. 

VI.  The  Tennessee  has  been  unable  as  yet  to  get  out  of  the  river. 
The  Magnolia,  Florida,  Whitmore  and  Vandcrbilt  got  to  sea.  last 
week,  but  one  of  them  (supposed  to  be  the  ^Magnolia)  has  been  cap- 
tured and  taken  to  Ship  Island.  The  powder  by  the  Victoria  turns 
out  to  be  musket  powder,  although  it  seems  to  be  of  good  quality. 
That  by  the  Miramon,  which  came  in  at  the  Grand  Caillon  has  not 
yet  reached  the  city.  As  soon  as  I  work  over  twenty  thousand 
pounds  of  the  Vanderbilt  powder,  I  will  dispatch  it  to  Richmond  as 
ordered  by  you  in  a  telegram.  • 

VII.  Some  of  the  parties  who  met  with  heavy  losses  on  the  Cal- 
houn, J.  L.  Day  and  Magnolia,  owned  several  of  the  boats  seized  by 
us  for  Montgomery's,  fleet,  and  are  ver}'  anxious  in  their  straitened 
circumstances  to  be  paid  for  the  vessels  that  we  took.  Can  funds  be 
placed  at  my  disposal  for  that  purpose  ?  The  total  value  of  the 
steamers  seized  is  about  six  hundred  thousand  dollars.  I  will  enclose 
a  schedule  of  the  appraisements  with   the   remark  that  some  of  the 


58 

owners  liave  protested  that  the  amounts  allowed  are  not  a  fair  price. 
Those  objected  to  I  had  re-appraised,  and  the  board  adhered  to  its  first 
decision.     No  more  should  be  allowed. 

VIII.  I  turned  over  to  the  navy  ten  forty-two  pounders  to  arm 
their  two  gunboats  for  like  service,  and  hope  that  they  will  get  them 
out  pretty  soon.  But  whether  from  want  of  funds,  or  lack  of  syste- 
matic expenditures,  the  credit  of  that  branch  of  the  public  service 
here  is  so  bad  that  it  is  almost  impossible  for  them  to  get  anything 
done.  A  few  days  since  I  wanted  a  crew  fi>r  a  boat  to  work  on  the 
lower  rafts,  but  could  not  get  a  man  until  they  were  satisfied  that  it 
was  not  intended  for  service  in  the  naval  department.  This  is  a  se- 
rious embarrassment  to  them  in  their  work. 

IX.  With  some  funds  that  I  got  from  the  city,  I  bought,  and  am 
fitting  up  as  launches  with  one  light  gun  each,  twelve  luggers,  for  a 
coast  guard,  to  watch  the  enemy  ard  prevent  communication  with  the 
shore. 

X.  I  am  a  good  deal  delayed  by  the  want  of  competent  officers  to 
assist  me  in  the  laborious  details  of  this  department.  We  want  an 
ordnance  officer  here  iJadly.  Many  things  are  necessarily  kept  back 
by  having  Msijor  Smith  perform  the  duties  of  engineer  and  ordnance 
officer,  either  one  of  which  would  tax  a  competent  man  to  the  utmost. 
It  is  neither  justice  to  him  nor  to  the  service  to  make  him  responsible 
for  such  an  immense  and  varied  amount  of  detailed  work. 

With  much  respect,  your  obediefit  servant, 

M.  LOVELL, 
Major  General  Commanding. 


(No.  82.) 

New  Orlf.ans,  March  o,  1862. 
lion.  J.  P.  Benjamin: 

Vanderbilt  powder  had  to  be  re -worked.  Victoria  powder  was  all 
musket,  and  Miramon  powder  not  arrived.  Shall  I  send  musk©4  pow- 
der ? 

M.  LOVELL. 


(No.   83) 

'  Richmond,  March  5,  1862. 

Maj.  Gen.  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleaiis  : 

Your  dispatch  of  the  5th  received.  Send  ten  thousand  (10,000) 
pounds  of  musket  powder  and  ten  thousand  pounds  of  cannon  powder, 
with  an  agent  to  force  it  on  bv  express. 

.J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 
Secretary  of  War. 


69 

(No    84.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ^ 

Headquarters  Department  No.  1 ,  > 

New   Orleans,  La.,  March    6,  1862.     ) 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War: 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  you  letters  of 
the  23d,  24th  and  2Gth  ult.,  which  reached  me  yesterday. 

I.  The  riA'cr  expedition  is  progressing  well.  Seven  of  the  boats 
will  be  ready,  except  the  gun,  on  Saturday,  the  8th,  and  the  remain- 
der in  a  week  from  that  time.  .  We  are  working  under  many  dis- 
advantages, but  no  time  is  being  lost.  I  shall  be  out  of  funds  for  that 
purpose  in  a  few  days. 

The  appraisement  of  the  ships  was  forwarded  in  my  letter  of  27th 
ult. 

II.  I  received  your  telegram  directing  20,000  lbs.  cannon  powder 
to  be  sent  to  Richmond.  All  the  powder  that  came  in  the  Vander- 
bilt,  Victoria  and  Miramon  is  small  grained,  not  cannon  powder,  and 
that,  by  the  first  and  last  of  those  vessels,i  requires  to  be  re  worked 
with  an  addition  of  15  per  cent,  of  saltpetre.  This  department  is 
being  completely  drained  of  every  thing,  and  I  trust  that  the  arrival 
of  the  Nashville  will  enable  you  to  leave  here  all  the  powder  that  we 
have  on  hand.  We  have  filled  requisitions  for  arms,  men  and  muni- 
tions, until  New  Orleans  is  ab'^itt  defenceless.  In  return  we  get  nothing. 
Mobile  and  Pensacola,  even  Galveston,  are  defended  by  10-inch  Col- 
umbiads,  while  this  city  has  nothing  above  an  8-inch,  and  but  few  of 
them.  The  fortified  line  about  the  city  is  complete,  but  I  have  taken 
10.  of  the  guns  for  the  navy  and  sixteen  for  the  vessels  that  we 
are  fitting  up  for  the  river  expedition.  My  reliance  to  defend 
these  lines  will  be  upon  militia  with  doubled  barreled  guns 
and  thirty-two  pound  carronades.  If  now,  you  take  the  powder 
from  me,  we  shall  be  in  no  condition  to  resist.  The  only  thing 
to  provide  is  a  sufficiency  of  powder  to  enable  us  ^  to  resist  a 
prolonged  attack  by  ships  and  mortar  boats  upon  two  points, 
forts  Tike  and  Macomb,  and  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip.  If  the 
first  are  passed,  we  still  have  a  land  defence  to  make  ;  if  the  last,  a 
fleet  can  proceed  at  once  to  the  city. 

III.  I  shall  send  up  this  week  the  Crescent  regiment,  the  20th 
regiment,  two  batteries  of  artillery,  four  companies  Mississippi  volun- 
teers, besides  several  seperate  companies,  which  will  make  eight  regi- 
ments, four  batteries  of  field  artillery,  and  several  companies,  arm-jd, 
equipped  and  provided  with  a  good  supply  of  ammunition. 

I  cannot  organize  the  militia  left  here  without  the  assistance  of  a 
general  officer  of  'experience  and  detailed  knowledge.  The  circum- 
stances of  the  case  render  it  imperative. 

You  will  see,  by  the  letter  accompanying  this,  that  I  have  urged 
upon  the  President  the  appointment  of  Major  Smith  as  the  proper 
person  to  fill  that  position.  His  engineer  duties  are  drawing  towards 
a  condition  which  will  enable  him  to  be  of  great  service  in  command 


6C 

of  troops.  He  knows  the  whole  country  from  personal  observation, 
and  moreover,  is  fairly  entitled,  from  his  great  and  faithful  labors,  to 
be  put  more  nearly  on  a  par  with  his  class-mates  at  the  military 
academy,  all  of  whom  are  in  high  position — mostly  general  offices.  He 
is  willing  to  act  as  the  engineer  officer  of  the  department,  in  connec- 
tion with  a  command  in  the  line.  My  desire  is  to  place  him  in  charge 
of  the  troops  intended  for  the  defences  of  the  interior  lines,  which,  as 
an  engineer,  he  has  constructed,  and,  as  ordinance  officer,  armed  and 
provided.  His  appointment  would  be  acknowledged  by  the  commu- 
nity here  as  a  just  tribute  to  faithful  merit  and  valuable  services  ren- 
dered. They  feel  much  indebted  to  kim  for  their  present  condition  of 
defence.  Major  Smith  is  a  class-mate  of  Smith,  Van  Dorn,  Long- 
street,  Anderson,  McLaws,  D  H.  Hill,  A.  P.  Stewart,  myself  and 
others,  high  in  rank.  He  alone,  one  of  the  first  in  the  field,  has  been 
left  in  a  position  of  inferior  rank. 

The  absence  of  General  Ruggles  demands  a  brigadier  here,  and 
there  is  every  reason  public,  as  well  as  private,  that  Major  Smith 
should  receive  the  appointment.  I  hope  you  will  urge  it  upon  the 
President,  and  let  me  know  by  telegraph  his  answer.  I  want  the  ser- 
vices of  a  general  officer  at  once. 

IV.  Several  persons  here  are  refusing  to  take  Confederate  notes. 
They  don't  come  under  military  supervision  or  I  would  put  an  end  to 
it  in  short  order.  What  do  you  think  should  be  done  ?  I  am  almost 
daily  urged  by  prominent  citizens  to  declare  martial  law  here.  It 
would,  however,  only  remedy  a  few  evils,  while  causing  much  incon- 
venience. I  think  that  every  desirable  end  could  be  attained  by  a 
military  police  and  a  registry  of  all  comers.  I  would  like  to  have 
your  views  about  the  propriety  of  having  martial  law  here.  Thus  far 
I  have  steadily  declined  to  do  so. 

V.  After  the  disasters  in  Tennessee,  and  when  I  became  satisfied 
that  Columbus  could  not  he  held.  I  ordered  all  the  stores  on  hand  at 
Baton  Rouge  to  be  sent  here,  as  that  city  could  be  taken  and  all  the 
public  property  there  destroyed  by  half  a  dozen  gunboats  at  a  dash. 

Meanwhile  I  am  enlarging  the  laboratory  and  arsenal  here,  so  as 
to  be  prepared,  in  some  small  measure,  in  case  the  Baton  Rouge  works 
should  be  destroyed.  It  does  not  seem  to  meet  with  the  approval  of 
Col.  Gorgas,  who  regards  it  rather  with  the  eye  of  the  head  of  a  bu- 
reau than  as  a  military  commander. 

Meanwhile  I  must  go  ahead  with  preparations  which  I  consider  to 
be  of  vital  importance  until  you  put  a  stop  to  it.  I  have  at  the  Ma- 
rine Hospital  a  steam  engine  and  a  large  number  of  hands  employed 
in  repairing  arms,  making  ammunition,  &c.  &c.,  and  had  it  not  been 
for  this  we  never  could  have  forwarded  eight  regiments  and  four  bat- 
teries to  aid  them  in  Tennessee,  for  nothing  of  any  description  has 
been  sent  here,  except  some  saltpeter. 

•VI.  I  am  hunting  all  over  the  Confederacy  to  procure  saltpeter  to 
re-work  thfe  powder  lately  arrived  from  Cuba.  They  are  sending  it 
from  Memphis  to  Augusta.  I  have,  however,  sent  an  agent  to  Texas 
to  get  some  that  I  heard  was  at  Houston — and  there  is  a  lot  of  six 


thousand  pounds  en  route  here  from  Georgia.     Until  T  get  some,  the 
powder  must  remain  in  statu  qiio. 

VII.  Permit  me  again  to  urge  upon  you  the  necessity  of  sending 
here  an  officer  of  ordnance,  to  attend  to  the  numerous  requisitions 
constantly  made  upon  this  department  from  all  quarters.  Much  delay 
and  difficulty  has  arisen  from  the  want  of  such  a  person  here.  This 
duty  has  been  performed  by  Major  Smith  in  addition  to  his  other  du- 
ties; but  by  this  arrangement  injustice  is  done  both  to  him  and  to  the 
public  service. 

VIII.  I  am  somewliat  fearful  that  a  little  too  much  latitude  has 
been  given  to  the  steamboat  captains  and  pilots  in  charge  of  the  river 
expedition.  If  the  curt-ent  of  opinion  here  should  set  against  them, 
they  Avill  be  unable  to  get  crews,  and  I  would  recommend  a  responsible 
head  to  the  expedition  when  it  is  ready  to  move,  otherwise  there  Avill 
be  discussion,  confusion  and  consequent  inaction. 

IX.  The  Calhoun  runs  up  the  river  below  the  forts,  and  we  have 
nothing  to  keep  her  back,  I  hope  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  will 
keep  at  least  one  vessel  here  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  making  rc- 
connoissances  under  our  very  guns. 

X.  I  allow  no  arms  or  powder  arriving  to  escape  me,  but  have  no 
need  to  **  impress,"  as  I  will  not  give  a  permit  to  go  out  until  I  have 
the  promise  of  the  refusal  of  the  cargo.  The  arrangement  works 
smoothly. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

M.  LOVELL, 
Major  General  Commarding. 


(No.  85.) 

New  Orleans,  March  7,  1862. 
Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin: 

In  case  of  evacuation  of  points  now  fortified,  please  order  ten  inch 
guns  and  mortars  here. 

M.  LOVELL. 


(No.  86.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ^ 

Headquarters,  Department  No.  1.       > 

^  New  Orleans,  La.,  March  9,  1862.  ) 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War: 

Sir  :  In  obedience  to  your  orders  I  have  sent  forward  to  Tennessee, 
besides  the  thirteenth  Louisiana,  already  detached  the  following  regi- 


62 

ments,  viz :  the  sixteenth,  seventeenth,  eighteenth,  nineteenth  and 
fourth  Louisiana,  and  the  seventh  Mississippi  regiments.  The  twen- 
tieth will  leave  on  Tuesday;  Gibson's  and  Vaiden's  field  batteries 
have  also  gone  forward 

In  addition,  Governor  Moore  has  sent  the  Crescent  regiment  and 
fifth  Company  Washington  Artillery ;  and  the  Orleans  Guard  battery, 
with  three  companies  of  that  battalion  will  go  in  a  few  days,  all  nom- 
inally for  ninety  days,  but  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  once 
in  the  field,  they  will  remain.  These  troops  have  all  been  fitted  out 
completely  by  the  State,  I  have  only  furnished  ammunition,  subsis- 
tence and  transportation.  One  or  two  independent  companies  will 
probably  join  Beauregard  in  the  same  manner 

The  four  Mississippi  companies  of  Ilardcastle's  battalion  which 
were  here,  I  have  ordered  to  join  their  own  corps  now  with  General 
A.  S.  Johnston. 

You  will  thus  perceive  that  this  department  has  been  completely 
stripped  of  every  organized  body  of  troops.  To  replace  them,  I  have 
called  upon  Governor  Moore  for  ten  thousand  volunteers  and  militia 
for  the  defense  of  the  lines  about  New  Orleans,  which  call  I  hope  will 
meet  with  the  approval  of  the  government. 

Persons    are    found    here  who    assert  that  I  am  sending    away  all 
troops. so  tlmt.  the  cHy  may  fall  an  easy  prey  to  the  enemy. 
■    All  requisition  for  ammunition  have  been  filled   until  I  have  none 
left,   except  what  is  in  the  hands  of  troops.     Neither  have  I  funds 
placed  at  my  disposal  to  create  supplies  in  place  of  those  sent  off". 

If  the  enemy  intends  an  attack  here,  he  will  make  it  soon,  and  I 
trust  no  further  calls  will  be  made  until  we  are  placed  in  a  defensible 
condition. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

M.  LOVELL, 
Major  General  Commanding. 


(No.  87.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ^ 

Headquarters  Department  No.  1,       > 

New  Orleans,  La.,  March  10,  18G2.  ) 

lion.  J.  P.  Benjajiin,  Secretary  of  Wa^ : 

Sir  :  The  steamer  Tennessee  has  been  unable  to  get  out  of  the  river 
so  far.  When  she  went  down  to  make  the  attempt,  it  was  understood 
that  she  would  be  assisted  to  the  extent  of  calling  off"  the  attention  of 
the  blockaders,  by  one  of  our  gun-boats.  These,  however,  have  all 
been  ordered  up  the  river,  and  she  still  remains  at  the  lower  forts. 

Since  the  river  expedition  (Montgomery's,)  was  set  on  foot,  circum- 
stances have  so  materially  changed  as  to  require,  in  my  judgment,  at 
least  a  temporary  change  in  the  programme.  The  evacuation  of 
Columbus  puts  an  end  to  any  attack   upon  the  en-Gmies  fleet  at  Cairo. 


es 

Still  I  should  have  sent  the  whole  number  (14)  up  as  soon  as  thej 
were  ready,  notwithstanding  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  had  ordered 
every  gun  afloat  up  the  river,  had  not  the  heavy  drift  and  current 
broken  up,  in  a  great  measure,  the  river  obstructions  at  Fort  Jackson. 
Under  these  circumstances,  with  the  enemy's  fleet  collecting,  and  be- 
ginning to  enter  the  mouths  of  the  river  with  boldnes?,  and  having  an 
open  passage  to  New  Orleans,  if  the  batteries  below  are  passed,  I  have 
written  to  General  Polk  that  I  could  put  no  guns  on  the  boatsof  the 
expedition,  and  that  until  I  could  replace  some  obstructions  in  the 
river  I  should  feel  compelled  to  keep  here  six  of  the  steamers.  The 
fleet  threatening  us  below  is  much  more  formidable  than  that  above, 
and  I  object  strongly  to  sending  every  armed  vessel  away  from  New 
f  Orleans  at  this  time.  This  city  has  been  already  too  much  weakened 
by  the  detachments  of  all  kinds.  Loud  complaints  are  made  on  all 
hands ;  and  until  we  are  placed  in  security  below  I  do  not  think  it 
advisable  to  draw  anything  further  from  this  point,  except  the  eight 
ships  strengthened  and  prepared  for  their  guns,  which  can  be  furnished 
above  as  well  as  here. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  '  M.    LOVELL, 

Major  General  commanding. 


(No.  88.) 

New  Orle.\i\3,  March  II,  1862. 
Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin: 

Quartermaster,  commissary,  river  defence,  engineer  and  medical 
funds  exhausted.  Time  is  important,  can't  move  rapidly  without 
money. 

M.  LOVELL. 


(No.  89.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ^ 

War  Department,       > 

Richmond,  March    12,  1862.  ) 

General  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans: 

Sir  :  I  have  your  letter  of  27th  ult.,  together  with  its  inclosurea, 
I  have  also  received  several  communications  in  relation  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  river  steamer  defences,  and  both  the  President  and  myself 
have  felt  much  embarassed  by  them.  The  expedition  was  planned 
and  gotton  by  Captain  Montgomery  and  Townsend,  reccommended  by 
the  whole  Missouri  delegation,  and  General  Polk,  and  the  objections 


64 

made  to  them  now  appear  to  us  of  the  most  vague  and  inconclusive 
character. 

The  President  has  great  confidence  in  Captain  T.  C.  Lathers,  and 
if  he  can  be  induced  to  go  as  commander  of  the  expedition,  you  are 
requested  to  put  him  in  command  of  the  whole,  Captain  Montgomery 
second,  Captain  Townsend  third,  and  the  remainder  in  such  order  as 
may  be  fixed  by  Captain  Montgomery, 

The.  list  of  captains  recommended  by  Montgomery  and  Townsend, 
is  as  follows,  viz : 

January  15,  Captain  John  A,  Stevenson. 
*'        26,  Isaac  Hooper.  ' 

'*        27,  Burdett  Taris. 

28,  John  H.  Burke.  *  t 

"        29,  James  Beverly  Smith. 

30,  James  C.  Delancy, 
*•        31.  Joseph  Davis  McCoy, 
February  1,  William  H.  H.  Leonard.  * 
"  2,  James  Henry  Hurt. 

3,  George  Willholland  Phillips. 
'*  4,  William  W.  Lamb. 

*'  5,  Joseph  A.  Sturtevant.  * 

The  three  against  whose  names  crosses  have  been  placed,  are  said 
by  some  of  the  citizens  of  New  Orleans  to  be  unreliable.  If  you 
could  replace  them  (the  last  especially)  by  some  captains  acceptable 
to  our  people,  with  the  consent  of  Montgomery  and  Townsend,  it 
would  be  well. 

I  do  not,  myself,  find  suflScient  reason  for  distrusting  the  parties, 
but  public  opinion  ought  to  be  satisfied  if  possible. 

In  relation  to  these  three  parties  you  Avill  use  your  own  discretion. 
The  expedition  ought  to  go  as  promptly  as  possible ;  subject  to  the 
orders  of  General  Beauregard,  as  regards  the  service  required  of  it, 
(but  of  course  without  any  interference  in  their  orginization.)  and 
the  relative  rank  of  each  officer  settled  in  a  general  order  which  you 
are  hereby  authorized  and  requested  to  issue  to  them  in  conformity 
with  the  foregoing  instructions. 

I  have  sent  you  three  hundred  thousand  dollars  on  account  of  the 
expenses  of  this  expedition,  and  will  send  you  further  remittances 
very  promptly.  As  soon  as  1  can  get  one  moment,  I  will  answer  the 
rest  of  your  letter,  but  I  conclude  by  saying  that  your  whole  conduct 
of  your  department  justifies  the  confidence  reposed  in  you,  and  that  I 
have  not  yet  found  a  single  act  of  yours  which  I  disapprove  in  the 
smallest  degree. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 
Secretary  of  War. 

P.  S. — If  Captain  Lathers  won't  go,  then  give  the  command  to 
Montgomery. 

If  you  can  get  Captain  Holmes  to  take  charge  of  one  of  the  boats 
I  would  be  gratified.     He  is  an  excellent  officer. 


65 

TLe  expedition  is  in  no  event  to  be  put  under  control  of    officers  of 
the  navy. 


(No.  90.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  l 

War  Department,       ^ 

Richmond,  March  22,  18G3.  ) 

Maj.  Gen.  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans: 

Sir:  Before  turning  over  the  affairs  of  this  department  to  ray  suc- 
cessor, I  am  anxious  to  give  you  full  replies  to  your  letters  of  6th, 
9th  and  lOth  instants,  as  VrcU  as  those  remaining  unansvvered  in  your 
letter  of  27th  ultimo. 

r.  I  send  you  a  remiitance  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
dollars,  which  will  enable  you  to  pay  sixty  per  cent,  of  the  value  of 
the  fourteen  steamers  seized  for  the  public  use.  I  applied  to  Con- 
gress for  a  further  appropriation  of  half  a  million  of  dollars  which 
will,  it  is  hoped,  s\iffice  to  complete  all  payments  for  these  vessels. 

II.  I  have  seen  Col.  Gorgas  on  the  subject  of  the  works  at  the  ma- 
rine hospital.  Your  action  in,  this  matter  is  fujly  approved,  and  no- 
thing is  more  gratifying  than  the  zeal  and  activity  you  have  so  intel- 
ligently applied  to  remedying  the  deficiency  under  which  we  labor  in 
the  conduct  of  this  war.  Exercise  your  discretion  in  concentrating 
all  our  resources  for  the  public  defence,  and  feel  assured  of  executive 
support  and  approval. 

III.  The  nomin&tion  of  Ool.  Smith  as  3?rigadier  General,  was  sent 
to  the  Senate  more  than  a  week  ago,  but  from  some  cause  it  has  not 
yet  been  confirmed.     I  shall  inquire  into  the  difficulty  immediately. 

IV.  No  more  calls  will  be  made  on  you  for  any  supplies. 

Your  assistance  to  the  army  in  Tennessee  has  been  most  timely  an<l 
valuable,  and  exceeded  what  1  had  hoped.  I  informed  you  by  tele- 
graph this  morning  that  I  had  ordered  forty-four  thousand  pounds 
powder  from  Columbus  to  you.  This  is  part  of  the  cargo  of  the  Flo- 
rida, which  brought  sixty-four  thousand  pounds.  The  remaining 
twenty  thousand  pounds  have  been  sent  to  Mobile,  so  that  the  whole 
cargo  goes  to  the  gulf;  my  main  purpose  in  sending  it  was  to  enable 
you  to  supply  the  new  iron  clad  steamers  just  about  to  be  completed. 

From  the  recent  experiment  of  the  Virginia,  and  what  I  hear  of 
the  steamers  at  Ncav  Orleans,  I  feel  confident  that  if  even  one  of  them 
can  be  got  ready  before  you  are  attacked,  she  will  disperse  and  destroy 
cny  fleet  the  enemy  can  gather  in  the  river,  above  or  below.  The  na- 
val officers  say  that  Tift's  steamer  is  far  superior  to  the  Virginia,  and 
the  Virginia's  performances  were  more  extraordinary  than  tlie  printed 
reports  exhibit.  If  she  had  only  drawn  five  feet  less  water,  she  would 
certainly  have  captured  the  Minesota.  She  is  in  perfect  order  and 
will  soon  make  another  dash,  and  our  officers  arc  confident  of  taking 
or  sinking  the  Monitor. 


66 

V.  We  have  received  from  the  Gladiator  and  rconomist,  altogether^ 
one  hundred  and  ninety  thousand  pounds  powder.  The  Florida's  I 
send  to  New  Orleans  and  Mobile,  A  large  quantity  powder,  nearly 
one  hundred  thousand  pounds,  was  lost  in  our  disasters  at  Forts  Henry 
and  Donelson  and  the  evacuation  of  Nashville.  If,  with  the  powder 
from  the  Florida  you  are  still  short,  I  must  try  and  have  part  of  that 
received  from  England  forwarded  to  you;  but  I  hope  this  will  not  be 
necessary.  We  have  contracts  out  for  several  thousand  tons  of  salt- 
petre, and  ought  now  very  soon  to  receive  one  or  two  cargoes.  Thia 
would  put  us  on  our  legs  completely. 

There  is  saltpetre  in  Mexico,  and  Mr.  Oliver  came  here  to  make 
contracts  with  me,  bi^.t  I  could  do  nothing  with  him. 

He  wanted  large  advances  and  to  bind  himself  to  nothing.  He  was 
so  fearful  of  responsibilities  that  it  was  impossible  to  agree  on  any' 
thing.  See  his  agents,  Messrs.  Avendain  Brothers,  in  New  Orleans, 
They  may,  perhaps,  procure  you  promptly  a  saltpetre  supply. 

VI.  I  ought  to  have  mentioned  in  regard  to  powder  by  Florida,  that 
the  parties  telegraphed  that  they  required  for  it  two  dollars  a  pound 
cask,  delivered  in  Marianna,  Florida,  the  department  to  take  the  risk 
and  expense  of  getting  it  to  Columbus.  I  consider  this  extortionate, 
in  view  of  the  fact  that  they  had  called  on  the  government  for  help  to- 
save  it  and  get  it  to  Columbus.  I  ordered  Gen.  Peraberton  to  impress 
it  at  that  rate.  I  advise  you  of  these  facts  for  information.  The 
parties  complain  that  they  have  only  received  |j  120,000  on  account  of 
the  powder  per  '*  Vanderbilt,"  Pray  settle  up  with  them  for  that 
cargo. 

YII.  Your  call  on  Governor  Moore  for  troops,  to  replace  those 
sent  to  Tennesse,  is  approved, 

VIII.  In  view  of  the  great  extent  to  which  you  have  been  weak- 
ened by  sendi/»g  aid  up  the  river,  you  are  right  in  retaining  some  of 
the  steamboat  fleet  below.  I  hope,  however,  that  the  iron  clad  boats 
will  soon  be  underway  and  relieve  you  from  all  fear  of  a  river  attack.. 

Your  obedient  servant. 

J.  P,  BENJAMIN, 
Secretary  of  War. 

(No,  91.) 

New  0rle.\ns,  March  22,  1862. 
Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin  r 

Please' order  General  Jones,  at  Mobile,  to  send  me  some  ten  (ID) 
inch  columbiads  and  sea  coast  mortars,  promptly. 

M.  LOVELL. 


67 

(No.  92.) 

New  Orleans,  March  22,  1862. 
lion.  J.  P,  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War: 

Seven  vessels  of  enemy  inside  of  mouth  of  river.  All  naval 
shipS'  at  Memphis.  I  will  have  to  retain  six  (6)  of  Montgomery's 
fleet  for  service  below. 

M.  LOVELL. 


•  (No.  93.) 

Richmond,  March  23,  1862. 

Major  General  Lovell,  New  Orleans : 

I  have  ordered  forty-four  thousand  pounds  of  cannon  powder  sent 
to  jou  from  Columbus,  to  enable  you  to  supply  gun-boats.  Have  also 
sent  orders  for  heavy  guns  as  requested  in  vour  dispatch  of  yesterday, 

"  J.  P.  BENJAMIN. 
Acting  Secretary  of  War. 


Note.— On  the  24th  of  March,  1862,  Hon.  G.  W.  Randolph  entered! 
on  the  duties  of  the  ofifice  of  Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  94.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ^ 

Jleadquartcrs,  Department  No.   1,  > 

New  Orleans,  La.,  March  22,  1862.  ) 

Hon.  J,  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of 
the  12th  relative  to  Montgomery's  expedition.  The  evacuation  of 
Columbus  overturns  his  original  intentions  of  destroying  the  enemy's 
licet  at  Cairo,  and,  in  my  judgment,  they  can  now  be  used  only  aa 
assistants  to  the  land  and  naval  forces  in  defending  our  own  positions. 
The  people  of  New  Orleans  thought  it  sti-angc  that  all  the  vessels  of 
the  navy  should  be  sent  up  the  river,  and  were  disposed  to  find  fault 
with  sending,  in  addition,  fourteen  steamers,  leaving  this  city  without 
a,  single  vessel  for  protection  against  the  enemy  who  was  collecting 
heavy  fleets  near  the  mouth  of  the  river.  Within  the  past  few  days 
they  have  had  thirteen  ships  near  the  mouth,  and  have  succeeded  in 
towing  inside  several  large  steamers,  which,  in  my  opinion,  only  await 
the  arrival  of  the  mortar  fleet  to  attempt  to  come  up  the  river  to  New 


68 

Orleans,  and  operate  as  a  diversion  for  the  column  descending  from 
Cairo.  Under  these  circumstances  I  shall  retain  here  six  of  Montgo- 
mery's ships  to  assist  in  repelling  any  attack  upon  the  forts  below. 

At  my  request  Governor  Moore  is  also  fitting  up,  with  bulkheads 
of  cotton,  two  vessels,  which  will  give  us  eight  here.  This  will  be 
of  material  service  and  will  quiet  the  people,  who  think  that  they 
have  been  too  much  neglected.  In  guns  of  large  calibre  we  are 
greatly  deficient,  as  I  have  mentioned  before.  It  was  to  be  hoped 
that  in  the  evacuation  of  Pensacola,  some  ten-inch  Columbiads  would 
be  sent  here,  but  I  have  only  succeeded  in  getting  one,  and  that  by 
sending  a  persevering  officer  after  it. 

I  enclose  you  two  orders  on  the  subject  of  martial  law.  Affairs 
here  have  reached  a  crisis  (which  Mr.  Yancey  will  explain  to  the  Pre- 
sident) and  it  became  necessary  for  some  one  to  seize  the  helm  with 
2b  strong  hand,  or  we  should  have  had  trouble,  perhaps  bloodshed,  be- 
tween men  who  were  all  friendly  to  the  cause.  A  city  composed  of 
such  heterogenious  elements  as  this,  with  an  excitable  population,  who 
are  easily  led  into  excesses,  is  difficult  to  govern,  as  there  are  so  many 
interests  to  consult,  each  jealous  of  the  other.  This  rendered  the 
appointment  of  provost  marshals  a  matter  of  great  difficulty,  more 
■especially,  as  I  knew,  that  there  were  large  and  influential  associa- 
tions in  existence,  whose  leaders  were  desirous  to  take  control.  The 
aniversal  approval  of  my  appointments  throughout  the  city,  and  the 
satisfaction  and  quiet,  bo  apparent  to  all,  leads  me  to  infer  that  the 
difficulty  has  been  entirely  solved,  and  everything  seems  to  have  set- 
tled back  into  its  proper  channel.  We  shall  encourage  our  friends, 
root  out  our  enemies,  guard  the  public  interests,  and  keep  the  specu- 
ifttors  well  in  hand.  No  movement  has  been  made  since  martial  law 
was  proclaimed  that  has  not  been  received  with  approval  by  the  people 
at  laraie.  I  feel  sure  that  the  administration  and  our  cause  have  been 
saved  from  a  terrible  embarrassment  here  in  New  Orleans. 

We  are  called  upon  here  from  all  quarters  to  furnish  everything — 
powder,  food,  equipments  and  ordnance  stores  of  all  kinds,  and  it  is 
utterly  impossible  to  make  any  estimate  which  will  suit  the  require- 
laents  of  the  bureaux.  We  must  have  money  here  in  large  qvantities, 
for  we  know  not  what  urgent  requisition  may  come  upon  us  by  tele- 
graph at  a  moment's  notice.  Bragg  telegraphed  to-day  for  five  hun- 
dred thousand  pounds  hard  bread,  yet  the  estimate  of  my  commissary, 
approved  by  me,  has  been  returned  from  Richmond. /o?"  details  of  what 
T?e  would  require.  Such  red  tape  will  kill  us.  We  had  to  borrow 
money  to  keep  troops  from  suffering.  This  point  being  recognized  as 
a  great  source  of  supply,  I  hope  you  will  see  the  importance  of  pla- 
cing large  amounts  of  money  here  for  all  the  bureaux — commissary, 
•ordnance,  quartermaster  and  medical  purveyors.  It  is  utterly  impos- 
eible  to  foresee  what  we  will  require.  Money  will  have  to  J)e  borrowed 
to  keep  our  troops  in  Tennessee  from  wanting  bread.  This  certainly 
contd  not  have  been  foreseen  by  the  assistant  commissary  of  this  de- 
partment. 

I  thank  you  very  warmly  for  the  confidence  expressed  in  the  last 
paragraph  of  your  letter,  and  trust  that  nothing  will  occur  to  abate 


69 

it,  Mj  position  here  is  one  of  labor  and  difficulty,  without  much 
chance  for  glory,  but  I  shall  do  my  duty  as  I  understand  it,  without 
"  partialitj,  favor  or  affection," 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

M.  LOVELL, 
Major  General  Commanding. 


(No.  95,) 

New  Orleans,  March  29,  1862. 

Hon,  J.  P.  Benjamin  : 

I  cannot  get  heavy  guns  from  Mobile,  The  enemy  is  in  large  forco 
at  the  mouth  of  the  river.  Please  order  commanding  officer  at  Mobile 
to  send  immediately. 

M.  LOVELL. 


(No.  96.) 

•  Richmond,  March  29,  1862. 

General  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans : 

What  guns  do  you  mean  ?     Guns  in  batteries,  or  guns  on  their  way 
to  you? 

(Signed,)  G.  W.  RANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  97.) 

New  Orleans,  March  31,  1862. 

Hon.  G.  W.  Randolph: 

A  part  of  the  ten  (10)  inch  columbiads  and  sea  coast  mortars 
which  were  at  Pensacola.  New  Orleans  has  only  one  of  the  former  and 
none  of  the  latter. 

M.  LOVELL. 


(No.  98.) 

New  Orleans,  April  3,  1862. 
General  George  Randolph  : 

The  seizure  of  Governor  Moore's  guns  by  the  War  Department  loaves 


70 

me  in  a  precarious  condition.     We  sent  off  all  our  men,  relying  upon 
those  guns  to  arm  others. '    Please  order  them  here. 

M.  LOVELL. 


(No  99.) 

New  Orleans,  April  4,  1862. 
General  Cooper  : 

Is  Colonel  Smith  appointed  Brigadier  General  ?     Ilis  instant  ser- 
vices are  required.     Where  is  the  powder  to  be  sent  from  Columbus  ? 

M.  LOVELL. 


(No.  100.) 

ANSWER  TO  THE  LAST  TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  April  4,  1862. 

To  General  M.  Lovell  : 

Colonel  Martin  L.  Smith  has  been  nominated  Brigadier  General,  but 
not  yet  confirmed.  Colonel  Gorgas  will  telegraph  you  to-day  respect- 
ing the  powder. 

Signed,  S.  COOPER, 

Adjutant  and  Inspector  General. 


(No.  lOL) 

Richmond,  April  4,  1862. 

"General  Lovell,  New  Orleans  : 

I  have  already  ordered  Colonel  T.  M.  Jones,  at  Pensacola,  and  re- 
quested Governor  Milton  of  Florida,  to  hold  the  arms  subject  to  Gov- 
ernor Moore's  order,  and  have  notified  him  of  the  fact.  I  have  also 
endeavored  to  get  columbiads  and  sea  coast  mortars  for  you  from  Pen- 
sacola, but  find  that  all  have  been  sent  to  Mobile  that  could  be  spared. 

G.  W,  RANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  War. 


71 

(No.  102.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ) 

War  Department,  \ 

Richmond,  April  7,  1862.      ) 

Major  General  M.  Lovell, 

Commandins,  §'c.,  New  Orleans,  Im.  : 

Sir:  You  are  authorized  to'permitthe  removal  of  the  iron  from  the 
Mexican  Gulf  Railroad,  if  the  government  have  the  right  to  it,  or  to 
save  it  from  the  enemy. 

Very  respectfully, 

GEORGE  W.  RANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  103.) 

New  Orleans.  April  9,  1862. 

General  G.  W.  Randolph  : 

Can  some  small  arms   be  sent  here  ?     We  have  sent  all  to  Corinth 
with  troops,  and  now  require  two  thousand. 

M.  LOVELL. 


•  (No.  104.) 

New  Orleans,  April  10,  1863. 

General  G.  W.  Randolph  : 

Can  you  possibly  order  here  four  or  five  thousand  small  arms  \  I 
have  sent  all  my  troops  to  Corinth,  but  have  several  unarmed  war  re- 
giments. 

M.  LOVELL, 


(No.  105.) 

Richmond,  April  10,  1862, 
Major  General  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans  : 

Are  the  cotton- lined  boats  ready,  and  where  are  they  ? 

G.  W.  RANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  War. 


73 

(No.   lOG.) 

New  Orleans,  April  II,  1862. 

General  Randolph,  Secrdary  of  War  :  • 

With  forty  (40)  vessels  in  the  lower  river,  please  protest  in  my 
name  against  sending  the  Louisiana  up  the  river;  if  she  must  go,  let 
her  leave  two  (2)  seven  (7)  inch  rifles  now  at  Fort  Jackson.  She  has 
one  (1)  on  board  besides  other  heavy  guhs — all  she  she  can  use  in  the 
upper  river  to  advantage.  We  have  not  now  as  many  guns  of  heavy- 
calibre  as  at  Mobile. 

M.  LOVELL, 


(No.  107.) 

Richmond,  April  11,  1862. 

Gen.  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans: 

We  have  just  had  a  call  for  arms  from  Corinth  which  we  cannot 
supply,  but  hope  soon  to  be  able  to  do  so  and  to  send  you  some.  Did 
YOU  receive  my  telegram  yesterday,  asking  where  the  cotton-lined 
boats  are  ? 

G.  y(.  RANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  108.) 

New  Orleans,  April  11,  1862. 

Gen.  Ra>dolph,  Secretary  of  War  : 

Five  cotton-boats  have  gone  up,  three  m-ore  will  go  to-night.     The- 
other  six  are  to  go  below.     Four  being  ready. 

M.  LOVELL,. 


(No.  \m.) 

Richmond,  April  11,  1862. 

Maj,  Gen.  Lovell,  Nevy  Orleans  : 

The  Louisiana  was  ordered- up  the  river  to  meet  three  iron-clad 
boats  which  have  succeeded  in  passing  Island  number  ten,  and  her 
presence  there  is  deemed  very  important  to  the  defence  of  New 
Orleans.  The  guns  were  intended  expressly  for  her,  and  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Navy  is  unwilling  to  give  them  up. 


73 

You  have  not  answered  my  two  telegrams  asking  where  the  cotton- 
lined  boats  were. 

G.  W.  RANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  War. 


.  (No.  110.)     • 

New  Orleans,  April  15,  1862. 

Gen.  RANDOLrn : 

The  enemy  is  preparing  for  a  formidable  attack  on  the  forts  below, 
he  shelled  them  a  little  for  past  two  days ;  no  harm  done.  Twenty- 
seven  vessels  in  sight  from  forts. 

M.  LOVELL. 


(No.  111.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ^ 

Headquarters  Department  A^o    1,       > 

New  Orleans,  La.,  April  15,   1862.  ) 

Gen.  G.  W.  Randolph,  Secretary  of  War : 

Sir:  I  beg  leave  to  report  that  the  funds  for  the  river  defence  fleet 
which  were  sent  me,  are  nearly  exhausted.  The  enormous  price  of 
every  kind  of  materials  has  made  the  preperations  very  expensive,  in 
addition  to  which  the  river  pilots,  (Montgomery  and  Townsend,)  who 
are  the  head  of  the  fleet,  are  men  of  limited  ideas,  no  system  and  no 
administrative  capacity  whatcve;*.  I  very  much  fear,  too,  that  their 
powers  of  execution  will  prove  much  less  than  has  been  anticipated. 
In  short,  unless  some  competent  person  of  education,  system  and 
brains  is  put  over  each  division  of  this  fleet,  it  will,  in  my  jurigment, 
prove  an  utfer  failure.  No  code  of  laws  or  penalties  has  been  estab- 
lished, and  it  is  difficult  to  decide  how  deserters  from  the  fleet  are  to 
be  tried  and  punished.  There  is  little  or  no  discipline  or  subordina- 
tion— too  much  "  steamboat"  and  too  little  of  the  "  man  of  war"  to 
be  very  effective.  The  expenses  of  fitting  up,  provisioning,  coaling 
and  paying  advances  so  far  on  the  fourteen  ships,  are  about  eight 
hundred  thousand  dollars.  I  have  received  nine  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  dollars,  but  have  paid  nothing  as  yet  towards  the  five  hun- 
dred and  sixty-three  thousand  dollars,  at  which  sum  the  vessels  seized 
were  appraised.  The  original  appropriation  was  one  million.  Cap- 
tain ilontgomery  informs  me  that  half  a  million  more  has  been  voted, 
*if  so  it  should  be  sent  on  at  once,  so  as  to  pay  ofl"  the  liabilities  on 
the  vessels.  I  trust  that  the  results  to  ba  derived  from  this  fleet,  will 
compensate  for  the  outlay;  but  unless  some  good  head  is  put  in  charge 
of  it,  I  feur  such  will  not  be  the  case.     The  expenses  for  outfit,  pay- 


74 

ment  for  ships  and  month's  wages,  "vvill  consume  one  and  a  half  mil- 
lions. It  is  due,  however,  to  Montgomery  to  say,  that  for  everything 
he  has  been  compelled  to  pay  nearly  three  hundred  per  cent,  over 
current  peace  prices.  Eight  of  these  vessels  are  up  the  river,  and 
four  below,  the  remaining  two  will  go  below  in  a  few  days. 

I  telegraphed  General  Beauregard  some  time  since  about  fortifying 
at  Vicksburg,  although  we  have  no  guns  to  put  up  there ;  but  in  case 
we  fall  back  from  the  Corinth  and  Memphis  line,  we  might  make  a 
fair  stand  on  a  line  running  from  Vicksburg,  through  Jackson  and 
Meridian.  I  have  no  officers  of  engineers  to  send  there,  but  think 
the  subject  of  importance. 

The  enemy  has  forty  vessels  just  below  fort  Jackson,  and  has  been 
firing  occasionly  for  two  days  past.  I  think  they  will  locate  their 
mortar  ships,  shell  the  forts  for  several  days  or  weeks,  and  then  try  to 
dash  by  with  their  steamers.  They  have  four  ships  of  the  class  of 
the  Hartford,  and  twelve  or  fifteen  gun-boats  besides  twenty-one 
mortar  schooners.  If  we  can  manage  to  obstruct  the  river  so  as  to 
retain  them  thirty  minutes  under  our  fire,  I  think  we  can  cripple  the 
fleet. 

We  have  several  regiments  here  which  have  enlisted  for  the  war,  but 
are  entirely  destitute  of  small  arms,  I  having  sent  all  I  had  to  Corinth 
with  Ruggles'  brigade. 

-  Heavy  requisitions,  entirely  unforseen,  are  constantly  made  on  this 
department  for  supplies  of  all  kinds,  and  when  they  come  are  gener- 
ally very  urgent.  To  meet  such  calls  large  amounts  of  funds  should 
be  kept  here,  either  in  the  hands  of  the  different  disbursing  officers, 
or  placed  at  my  disposition.  It  is  too  late  after  the  requisition  is  re- 
ceived to  make  estimates ;  neither  can  we  give  details  in  advance. 

I  received  a  telegram  from  the  President  that  the  Secretary  of  War 
had,  in  answer  to  my  dispatches  about  the  necessity  of  martial  law, 
in  some  of  the  adjoining  parishes,  written  me  fully  on  the  subject  I 
have  not  received  his  letter.  The  good  citizens  in  many  of  the  neigh- 
boring parishes  are  sending  petitions  constantly  to  have  martial  law 
extended  over  there.  It  should  be  done  in  order  to  make  it  effective 
in  those  parishes  where  it  exists.  Please  inform  me  on  this  point,  as 
a-lso  how  are  the  expenses  of  provost  marshals  to  be  paid  hereabouts. 
Respectfully,  yOur  obedient  servant, 

M.  LOYELL, 
Maj.  Gen'l  Comd'g  Dep't. 


(No.  112.) 

New  Orleans,  April  16,  1862. 

G.  W.  Randolph  :  " 

My  commissary,  Major  Lanier,  is  out  of  funds.  Cannot  use  bonds. 
Heavy  demands  made  on  him.  He  can  get  no  answer  from  commissary 
general.  M.  LOVELL. 


75 

(No.  113.) 

New  Orleans,  April  22,  1862. 

General  Randolph  : 

In  case  city  should  be  occupied,  should  cotton  and  tobacco  belong- 
ing to  foreigners  be  destroyed?  I  require  funds  for  river  defense  fleet 
immediately,  or  cannot  keep  it  up. 

M.  LOVELL 


(No.  111.) 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ^ 

Headquarters  Department  No.  1 ,       > 

New  Orleans,  La.,  April  11,  1862.  ) 

Gen.  G.  W.  JIandolpii,  Secretary  of  War  : 

Sir:  The  occupation  of  Tennessee  by  the  enemy,  the  low  water  in 
Red  river,  the  interruption  of  the  railroads  at  Decatur,  and  the  want 
of  communication  by  rail  with  Texas,  all  combined  have  brought  about 
a  scarcity  of  provisions  here.  Mr.  E.  Solomon  goes  hence  to  Rich- 
mond as  special  agent  to  endeavor  to  remedy  this  evil,  if  possible.  I 
beg  that  jqu  will  cause  all  necessary  orders  to  be  given  to  facilitate 
his  mission,  as  you  will  perceive  at  once,  it  is  one  of  vital  importance. 
He  takes  letters  from  Governor  Moore  and  several  of  our  most  prom- 
inent citizens. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  M.  LOVELL, 

Major  General  commanding. 


(No.  115.) 


telegram. 


New  Orleans,  April  23,  1862. 

To  General  S.  Cooper: 

Bombardment  continues  with  unabated  vigor,  now  five  days  and 
nights.  We  still  hold  out  with  four  casualties,  but  Fort  Jackson  much 
cut  up.     Want  more  powder  if  it  can  be  had. 

M.  LOVELL. 


76 

(No.  116.) 

Richmond,  April  25,  1862. 
Major  General  M.  Lovell,  New  Orleans: 

It  has  been  determined  to  burn  all  the  cotton  and  tobacco,  whether 
foreign  or  our  own,  to  prevent  it  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy. 

You  will  therefore  destroy  it  all,  if  necessary,  to  prevent  them  from 
getting  it. 

G.  W.  RANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  117.) 
j' 

Cam'p  Moore,  May  1,  1862. 

General  Randolph,  Secretary  of  War: 

Have  received  no  instructions  about  destruction  of  cotton.  Shall  I 
destroy  all  that  can  be  reached  by  the  enemy,  leaving  each  planter  a 
portion  for  supplies  ;  if  so,  what  per  centage  shall  be  left?  Shall  I 
burn  the  barracks  and  arsenal  at  Baton  Rouge? 

M.  LOVELL. 


(No.  118.) 

Camp  Moore,  May  2,  1862. 

General  Randolph  : 

Butler  occupied  New  Orleans  to-day.     Cannot  enroll  men   there. 
What  is  to  be  done  about  destroying  cotton  ? 

M,  LOVELL. 


(No.  119.) 
«  * 

Richmond,  May  2,  1862. 

General  M.  Lovell  : 

The  following  dispatch  was  sent  to  you  on  the  25th  ultimo  : 

A.  T.  Bledsoe,  Assistant  Secretary  of  War. 

"  It  has  been  determined  to  burn  all  the  cotton  and  tobacco,  whether 
foreign  or  our  own,  to  prevent  it  from  falling  into  the  hands   of  the 


77 

enemy.     You  will  therefore  destroy  it  all,  if  necessary  to  prevent 
them  getting  it." 

(Signed,)  *' G.  W.  RANDOLPH, 

"  Secretary  of  IFar." 


(No.  120) 

Richmond,  May  3,  1862. 

Major  General  Lovell,  Camp  Moore,  via  Mobile: 

This  is  the  third  telegram  which  has  been  sent  you  about  burning 
cotton,  the  last  two  copies  from  the  first.  It  is  this :  It  has  been 
determined  to  burn  all  the  cotton  and  tobacco,  whether  foreign  or  our 
own,  to  prevent  it  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

You  will  therefore  destroy  it  all,  if  necessary,  to  prevent  them  from 
getting  it.     Acknowledge  receipt  of  this  at  once. 

G.  W.  RANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  War. 


(No.    121.) 

Camp  Moore,  May  4,  18G2. 
Gen.  Randolph  : 

Dispatch  about  cotton  received.  Immediate  steps  taken  to  carry 
out  the  ii;structions  yesterday.  Want  copy  of  law  to  organize  guer- 
rilla parties  with  authority  to  act.     This  is  only  available  force  in  tho 


swamps  of  South  Louisiana. 


M.  LOVELL. 


(No.  122.) 


RicHMO.VD,  May  6,  1862. 


Maj.  Gen.  M.  Lovell,  Camp  3Ioore,  La.  : 

I  see  no  reason  for  the  destruction  of  the  barracks  and  arsenal  at 
Baton  Rouge.  You  will  therefore  preserve  them,  unless,  in  your 
opinion,  there  is  some  urgent  reason  for  their  destruction. 

G.  W.  RANDOLPH, 

Stc/tl'iry  of 'War, 


78 

(No.  123.) 

RicHMOKD,  May  21,  1863. 
Maj.  Gen.  M.  Lovell,  Camp  Moore  : 

I  am  informed  that  you  do  not  consider  yourself  instructed  as  to 
the  destruction  of  the  cotton  on  the  Mississippi,  and  to  avoid  miscon- 
ception or  mistake,  I  now  instruct  you  to  destroy  cotton,  tobacco,  mil- 
itary and  naval  stores,  or  other  property  of  any  kind  -whatever,  which 
may  aid  the  enemy  in  the  prosecution  of  the  war,  whenever  and 
wherever,  in  your  judgement,  it  is  necessary  to  prevent  such  proper- 
ty from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

a.  W.  RANDOLPH. 

Secretary  of  War. 


[No.  124.] 

VicKSBURG,  May  22,  1862. 

Gen.  G.  W.  Randolph,  Secretary  of  War : 

You  were  misinformed.     I  have  already  given  full  instructions  for 
destruction  of  the  property  named. 

M.  LOVELL. 


(No.  125.) 

Richmond,  Jan.  28th,  1862. 
Maj.  Gen.  M.  Lovell,  Camp  Moore  : 

Claims  are  presented  for  the  steamships  Mexico  and  Orizata.  Are 
they  a  part  of  the  river  defence  fleet  ?  If  so,  we  will  apply  the  bal- 
ance of  the  appropriation  to  the  payment  of  the  bills.  There  will  still 
be  a  balance  of  thirty  odd  thousand  dollars  due.  Have  you  funds  to 
pay  it  T 

G.  W.  RANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  War. 


*  (No.  126.) 

Richmond,  May  31,  1862. 

Maj.   Gen.  Lovell,  Camp  Moore  : 

A  claim  against  the  government  for  repairs  on  the  gunboats.  Gen. 
Lovell  in  favor  of  John  McLean,  Certified  by  two  captains,  B.  Paris 


79 

and  James  B,  Smith,  and  by  W.  S.  Lovell,  lieutenant  colonel  and 
disbursing  officer,  has  been  presented.  It  obviously  blends  charges 
for  work  on  different  boats.  Accounts,  so  inaccurately  certified,  can- 
not be  allowed-    Can  you  certify  to  the  amount  ?     It  is  *f;814  37. 

G.  W.  RANDOPIl, 

Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  127.) 

Richmond,  June  1,  1862. 
Gen.  M.  Lovell,  Camp  Moore  : 

The  sum  of  two  hundred  and  thirteen  thousand  dollars  is  to  your 
credit  on  the  books  of  the  C.  S.  Treasurer.  Authorize,  by  telegraph, 
one  hundred  thousand  dollars  to  be  desposited  to  the  credit  of  the  ap- 
propriation, for  the  defence  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  the  claims 
here  can  be  paid.     Direct  your  telegram  to  the  0.  S.   Treasurer. 

G.  W.  RANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  128.) 


Richmond,  Juno  5,  1862. 


Major  General  Lovell,  Jackson,  3Iiss.  : 

You  will  send  a  flag  of  truce  to  General  Butler  and  inform  him 
that  you  have  heard  that  he  has  put  prominent  citizens  of  New  Or- 
leans to  labor  with  ball  and  chain.  Say  to  him  that  we  shall  retaliate, 
if  such  be  the  fact,  but  will  wait  for  a  contradiction  if  he  thinks  fit  to 
make  it. 

GEO.  y/.  RANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  129.) 

Richmond,  June  6,  1862. 
Major  General  Lovell,  Jackson,  Miss.  : 

When  you  send  the  flag  of  truce  to  General  Butler  for  the  purpose 
indicated  in  my  telegram  of  yesterday,  you  will  also  enquire. of  him 
if  the  statement  purporting  to  come  from  citizens  of  New  Orleans, 
that  he  had  appropriated,  for  the  use  of  his  army,  a  portion  of  the  pro- 


80 

visions  allowed  to  pass  through  our  lines  for  the  citizens  of  New  Or- 
leans  be  true. 

G.  W.  RANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  130.) 

Richmond,  June  9th,  1862f^ 
Major  General  M.  Lovlll,  Jackson,  Miss.  : 

I  am  informed  that  General  Smith  has  ordered  Captain  W.  H. 
Johnson,  of  Colonel  Starke's  regiment,  stationed  on  the  Big  Black 
river,  to  burn  all  the  cotton  in  his  reach,  whether  liable  to  fall  into 
the  enemy's  hands  or  not.  This  order,  if  issued,  is  illegal,  and  must 
be  countermanded. 

G.  W.  RANDOLPH, 
-  Secretary  of    War. 


(No.  131.) 

C.  S.  A.,  War  Department,      > 
Richmond,  June  10th,  1863.  5 

Major  General  M.  Lovf.ll,  Camp  Moore,  Tangipola,  La.  : 

General :  Your  attention  is  respectfully  called  to  the  annexed  copy 
of  a  letter  received  from  a  person  in  Louisiana,  in  regard  to  the  evacu- 
ation of  the  forts  at  Grand  Caillon  ;  and  you  are  requested  to  report 
to  this  department  the  facts  of  the  case. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

G.  W.  RANDOLPPI, 

Secretary  of  War. 


[Note. — The  letter  referred  to  in  the  above  was  that  of  Governor 
Moore  to  the  President,  of  date  May  2 1st,  1862,  which  see  with  the 
endorsement  thereon,  in  the  correspondence  between  Governor  Moore 
and  the  War  Department,  p.  — . 


(No.  132.) 

Confederate  States  of  America, \  ^ 

Headquarters  Department  No.  1,  > 

Jackson,  Miss.,  19th  June,  1862.  ) 
Gen.  G.  W.  Randolph,  Secretary  of  War,  Richmond,  Va.  : 

General:  In  reply  to  your  letter  of  the    10th  instant,  requesting 
the  reasons  for  evacuating  Fort  Quitman  on  the  Bayou  Grand  Caillon, 


81 

I  have  to  state  that  it  was  a  little  earth  work,  with  two  smooth  bore 
thirty-tAvo  pounders,  established  by  me  to  prevent  ingress  for  maraud- 
ing parties  by  the  enemy,  in  small  vessels,  through  the  Caillon  and 
other  inlets,  into  the  northern  parishes  of  Louisiana. 

The  fall  of  New  Orleans  laid  open  the  foute  to  those  parishes,  and 
as  the  troops  stationed  in  the  fort  were  supplied  from  the  city,  and 
were  at  any  moment  liable  to  be  taken  in  rear  and  captured  by  way  of 
the  Opelousas  ra  Iroad,  which  was  in  the  enemy's  hands,  I  ordered  the 
guns  to  be  spiked,  and  the  garrison  (a  small  company  of  twelve 
months  volunteers)  to  bring  away  their  small  arms,  the  ammunition 
and  the  stores,  and  to  rejoin  me  at  Camp  Moore.  The  enemy  did  not 
go  down,  it  is  true,  for  some  days,  but  they  could  have  gone  at  any 
hour  and  any  day,  and  taken  the  men  with  their  arms,  which  I  was 
anxious  to  preserve.  The  order  I  gave  was  not  obeyed.  Instead  of 
joining  me  at  Camp  Moore,  the  men  mutinied  and  disbanded,  and 
both  officers  and  men  returned  to  New  Orleans.  It  would  be  well,  as 
your  corresspondent  suggests,  to  punish  the  officers,  but,  as  they  are 
now  in  New  Orleans,  such  a  step  is  impracticable. 

A  glance  at  the  map,  which  I  sent  to  the  Department  some  months 
ago,  will  show  that  after  the  city  fell,  the  little  works  on  the  coast 
must  be  abandoned   being  altogether  unnecessary. 

The  report  of  the  cargo  of  the  vessel  and  her  capture,  as  in  all 
other  instances,  is  grossly  exaggerated. 

Some  few  citizens  fired  upon  two  or  three  federals,  in  retaliation,  a 
number  of  them  were  taken  prisoners  and  threatened  with  death  if 
they  did  not  produce  the  parties  who  had  committed  the  act,  but  the 
penalty  was  not  inflicted. 

I  had  no  force  to  protect  the  people  in  that  district  of  country,  but 
sent  an  officer  to  raise  a  partizan  corps  for  that  purpose,  yet  the 
prominent  citizens  earnestly  entreated  that  the  corps  should  not  be  raised 
there,  unless  I  could  send  a  large  body  of  troops  to  protect  them  from 
the  additional  outrages  to  which  they  would  be  subject  from  the  Yan- 
kees for  having  raised  such  a  corps.  Having  no  large  force  to  send, 
and  objections  being  raised  to  a  small  one,  I  countermanded  the 
order. 

The  fact  is,  that  that  part  of  the  country  is  inhabited  by  two  classes 
of  people — the  rich,  fearful  of  their  property  and  not  anxious  to  resist 
unless  supported  by  an  array  in  every  parish — and  the  poor  misera- 
ble -nixed  breed,  commonly  called  Dagos  or  Acadians,  in  whom  there 
is  not  the  slightest  dependence  to  be  placed.  I  gave  authority  to 
several  persons  to  raise  partisans  there,  but  they  met  with  no  success. 
When  I  urged  that  the  bri<lges  over  the  railroad  be  destroyed,  a  parish 
delegation  entreated  that  it  be  not  done,  as  it  would  bring  down  upon 
them  Yankee  vengeance ;  they  would  only  consent  to  assist,  on  con- 
dition that'  I  should  send  a  large  body  of  troops  there.  Moreover,  if 
the  railroad  had  been  destroyed,  the  stage  of  water  was  such  that  free 
access  could  have  been  had  to  Thibodeaux  through  bayou  Lafourche. 
I  therefore  concluded,  at  the  request  of  many  of  the  most  influential 
citizens,  to  delay  operati.ns  until  the  subsiding  water  should  have  de- 
prived the  enemy  of  the  means  of  entering  the  interior  at  pleasure. 
6 


82 

Had  a  contrary  course  been  pursued,  the  whole  country  would  have 
heen  devastated  without  a  possibility  of  preventing  it.  Nine  out  of 
every  ten  persons  from  that  part  of  the  country  warmly  approved  of 
my  decision. 

I  trust  that  the  department  will  not  give  ear  to  the  many  false  and 
absurd  rumors  that  are  set  afloat  by  persens  who  think  that  there 
should  be  an  army  stationed  on  every  plantation  for  its  protection. 

I  am  satisfied  that  our  present  condition  is  to  be  attributed,  in  a 
great  measure,  to  the  fact  that  we  have  followed  this  plan  too  muck 
already,  dispersing  instead  of  concentrating  our  troops,  and  thus  ren- 
dering them  an  easy  prey  to  the  enemy. 

Very  respeotfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

M.  LOVELL, 
Mnj.  Gen.  Commanding. 


(No.  133.) 

Richmond,  June  21,  1862. 

Gen.  M.  Lovell,  Jackson^  Miss: 

The  arms  sent  to  Jackson,  were,  by  direction  of  the  President,  placed 
at  the  disposal  of  Governor  Pettus.  It  is  hoped  that  there  will  be  no 
difference  about  the  disposition  proper  to  be  made  of  them. 

G.  W.  RANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  War. 


INDEX. 


^  PAGE. 

Message  of  President,  transmitting  correspondence,  -  -  -         3 

Communication  /rom  Secretary  of  War,      -  -  -  -  -4. 

Letter  from  Burton  N.  Harrison,     ------         f) 

lyctter  from  Secretary  of  Navy,       ------         5 

I/Ctter  of  President  to  General  Lovell,  October  17,  18G1 — Affairs  of  the 

navy.     No.  1,  ----  ---7 

I/€tter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.   P.  Benjamin,  October  18,  18G1 — Arms, 

medical  stores,  «fca.     No.  2,    -  -  -.  -  -  -7 

Dispatch  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  October  23,  1861 — Powder 

and  saltpetre.    No.  3,  -  -  -  -  -  -  -8' 

Dispatch  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  October  23,  18G1 — Powder 

and  saltpetre.    No.  4,  -  __.-__         S 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  October  25,  ISGl — Powder, 

saltpetre  and  guns.    No.  5,    -  -  -  -  -  -         9 

Dispatch  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  October  26,  1861 — Reply 

to  above.     No.  6,         -  -  -  -  -  -       10 

Letter  ol  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  October  29,  18G1— Troops 
for  local  defense;  purchase  of  supplies  in  New  Orleans ;  Lieuten- 
ant Cunningham.    No.  7,        -  -  -  -  -  -       10 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  President  Davis,  October  31,  1861 — Works 
for  defense  of  city;  Forts  St.  Philip  and  Jackson;  appointment 
of  J.  K.  Duncan.    No.  8,        -  -  -  -  -  -10 

Dispatch  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  November  4, 1861 — Marine 

hospital.     No.  9,  -  -  -  -  -  -  -11 

Dispatch  of  J.  P.  Henjamin  to  General  Lovell,  November  4,  1861 — Reply 

to  above  and  foreign  consuls.    No.  10,  -  -  -  -       12 

Dispatch    of  J.  P.    Benjamin    to    General    Lovell,  November    6,1861  — 

Marine  hospital.     No.  11,       -  -  -  -  -  -       12 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  November  8,  1861— Powder  ., 

and  saltpetre;  battery  of  artillery;  case  of  Dr.  S.  Burke;  Forts 
Pike  and  Newcorab  and  Berwicks   Hay.    No.  12,     -  -  -       12- 

I^etter  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  November  17,  1861 — Powder 
and  saltpetre;  ordnance  stores;  case  of  Dr.  Burke;  defenses  of 
New  Orleans.     No.  13,  -  -  -  -  -       14 

General  Lovell  to  ■).  P.  Benjamin,  November  19,1861 — Defenses  of  New 
Orleans;  raft  across  the  river;  marine  hospital;  powder  mills  ; 
telegraph  line  between  Meridian,  Mobile  and  Montgomery ;  men 
to  be  sent  to  General  Pillow;  disorganization  of  companies  de- 
tached from  State  service;  Colonel  Preston  ;  Major  Palfray  and 
Lanier  ;  enemy  can  march  to  ^Mobile  by  East  Pascagoula.     No.  14.  1'  ' 

Dispatch  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  November  20,  ISGl — Sul- 
phur.     No.  15,  -  -  -  -  -  -  -16 

Dispatch  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  November  25,  1861  — An- 
swer to  above.     No.  16,  -  -  -  -  -  -       IG 

Dispatch  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  November  27,  1861 — 13th 

Louisiwia  and  3d  Mississippi  regiment  sent  to  Columbus.     No.  17,         17 


84 

PAGE. 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  December  5,  1861 — Map  of 

affairs,  and  explanation  of  defences.     No.  18,  -  -  -       17 

Letter  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  December  7, 1861 — Enclosing 

letter  of  S.  A.  Cartwright.    No.  19,  -  -  -  -  -       20 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to   J.  P.  Benjamin,  December  10,  1861 — State 

companies.    No.  20,    -  -  -  -  -  -  -2D 

Letter  of  General    Lovell    to    General  S.  Cooper,   December  10,  1861 — 

Return  of  troops  for  month  of  October.    No.  21,    -  -  -      21 

Dispatch    of  J.   P.    Benjamin    to    General  Lovell,  December  12,  1861 — 

Seizure  of  property  of  Banks,  of  Kentucky.    No.  22,         -  -       21 

Letter  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  December  12,  18(31 — appoint- 
ment of  Major  Lovell.     No.  23,         -  -  -  -  -       22 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  December  16,  1861 — Reply 

to  the  letter  of  Dr.  Cartwright.    No.  24,     -  -  -  -       22 

Letter  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  December  18,  ^801 — Powder 

to  be  given  Flag  Ofiicer  Hollins.     No.  25,   -  -  -  -       23 

Letter  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  December  23,  1861 — Move- 
ment of  troops  ;  State  companies  ;  iron  of  Mexican  Gulf  Railroad  ; 
coast  defenses  of  the  Mississippi.  No.  26,  -  -  -  -       24 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  December  24,  1861 — Mills 

for  making  powder  ;  recommendation  of  Colonel  Duncan.    No.  -7,       2') 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  December  25,  18G1 — Major 

Lovell;  additional  troops;  enemy  at  Ship  Island.     No.  28,  -       26 

Dispatch ^of  General    Lovell  to    J.    P.    Benjamin,   December  27,  1861 — 

Saltpetre  made  into  powder.     No.  29,  -  -  -  -       27 

Xetter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  lienjamin,  December  29,  1861 — Explo- 
sion of  Foster's  powder  mill ;  force  of  the  enemy  at  Ship  Island. 
No.  30, 27 

Dispatch  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  January  1,  1862 — Salt- 
petre, etc.     No.  31,   -  -  -  -  -  -  -28 

Letter  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  January  5,  1862 — Reply  to 
letters  of  24th  and  25th  December.     No.  33,  -  -  -5 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  January  17,  1862 — Defenses 
of  the  coast  of  Mississippi,  and  neglect  of  navy  department.  No. 
34, 29 

Dispatch  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  January  6,  1862 — Powder 

by  the  "Vanderbilt."    No.  35,  -  -  -  -  -       30 

Letter  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  January  6,  1862 — Appoint- 
ment of  Colonel  Duncan ;  assigning  General  Trimble  to  duty,  etc. 
No.  36, 30 

I^etter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  January  8,  1862 — Return  of 
the  regiments  sent  to  Columbus  refused,  and  urging  their  return. 
No.  37, 31 

Dispatch  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Jan.  13,  1862 — Contract 

to  deliver  powder.    No.  39,     -  -  -  -  -  -       32 

Dispatch  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  Jan.  14,  1862— Orders  to 

impress  14  ships.  No.  40,        -  -  -  -  -  -       32 

'Governor  Pettus  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Jan.  14,  1862 — Enclosing  letter  of 
General  Lovell  relative  to  the  return  of  the  3d  Mississippi  regi- 
ment. No.    41,  - -      32 

General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  dispatch,  Jan.  15,  1862 — Announcing 

the  impressment  of  the  14  vessels.    No.  42,  -  -  -  -       33 

Dispatch  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  Jan.  15,  1862 — Reply  to 

dispatch  of  13th,  relative  to  contract  for  powder.  No.  43,  -  -       33 

Dispatch  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  Jan.  16,  1862 — Money  to 

be  p'accd  to  his  credit  to  fill  contract  for  powder.  No.  44,  -  -       33 

Letter  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  Jan.  19,  1862  — Floating  de- 
fences of  Western  rivers,  in  connection  with  impressment  of  the 
14  vessels,  and  what  usq  they  are  to  be  put  to,  Captains  Mont- 
gomery and  Townsend  to  command.  No.  45,  -  -  -      33 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  January  13,  1862 — Giving 


85 


amount  of  powder  in  his  department,  considering  New  Orleans  to 
be  in  condition  to  receive  an  attack,  is  attending  to  coast  defences 
and  giving  plan  of  movements.    No.  4B,        -  -  -  -       35 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  January  15,  1862 — Cannon, 

small  arms,  &c. ;  Lieutenant  Foster  in  the  city  as  a  spy.  No.  47  -      36 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Janua'ry  16,  I«02 — Enlist- 
ment of  troops  and  bounty.   N'o.  48,  -  -  -  -  -      38 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  January  10,  1862 — Impress- 
ment of  steamers  ;  report  of  ocupation  of  Biloxi  by  the  enerav. 
No.  49,  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  '-       39 

Dispatch  of  General  Lovell  to  General  Cooper,  January  21,  1862 — Gen- 
eral Trimble.  No.    50,  ------       39 

Letter  of#J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  January  24,  1862 — Reply  to 
letter  of  16th  in  regard  to  enlistment  of  troops  and  bountv.  No. 
51, '         -       40 

Letter  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  January  27,  1862— Error 
in  regard  to  General  Trimble;  powder  supplies;  distribution  of 
arms;  spies;  negotiations  by  ilag  of  truce  with  enemy;  Capt.  W. 
F.  McLean.  No.  52, iO 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  January  20,  1862 — Purchase 
of  the  "Tennessee;"  powder  contract ;  powder  by  Vanderbilt  ; 
reconnoisance  of  enemy's  fleet  at  Ship  Island.    No.  o3,       -  -       41 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  January  22,  ls62— Bonds- 
men for  powder  contract.  No.  54,    -  -  -  -  -       43 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  January  28,  1862 — Floating 

defences.   No.  55,         -  -  -  -  -  -  -       44 

Dispatch  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell  January  28,  1862 — Steam- 
er "  Tennessee."    No.  56,      -  -  -  -  -  -      45 

Dispatch  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  January  3*^,  l'^62 — Cut- 
lasses and  pistols  for  river  flotilla.    No.  57,  -  -  -  -       45 

Dispatch  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  January  30,  l'^62 — Renut- 

tance  of  money.   No.  58,         -  -  -  -  -  -      46 

Letter  of  .J.  P.  Benjamin  to  Gen.  Lovell,  January  3*^,  1862  — Steamer  Ten- 
nessee ;  powder  contract ;  remittance  of  money.  No.  50,  -  -       46 

I^etter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.   Benjamin,  February  1.  1^62 — Money 

for  purchase  of  Tennessee.  No.  60,  -  -  •  -  -      47 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to   J.  P.  Benjamin,  February  4   1862-  Money 

for  payment  of  powder,  &c.    No.  61,  -  -  -  -       47 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  February  6,  1^62-  General 
Ruggles  ;  powder  by  Vanderbilt ;  Federal  prisoners  ;  appoint- 
ment of  officers  in  new  regiments;  Captain  McLean;  steamer 
Tennessee  ;  bonds.    No.  62,    -  -  -  -  -  -       48 

Dispatch  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  February  7,  1862-  Gen- 
eral Ruggles.  No.  63,  -  -  -  -  -  -  -       49 

Letter  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  February  8,  1862  Rein- 
forcements to  I'c  sent  to  Columbus;  New  Orleans  to  be  defended 
from  above.    No.  64,  -  -  -  -  -  -  -9 

Dispatch  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  February  9,  1862  -Rein- 
forcements to  Columbus.     No.  65,     -  -  -  -  -       60 

Dispatch  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  February  11,  1862-  Ap- 
pointment of  field  officers.     No.  66,  -  -  -  -  -      50 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin.  February  12,  186-2  Ac- 
knowledginr  instructions  to  send  reinforcements  to  Columbus; 
distribution  of  "  Vanderbilt's  "  powder.    No.  67,  -  -  -       50 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin.  February  15,  1862  -Captain 
McL'jan  ;  blankets  ;  schooner  Victoria  run  into  Barratannia  Sound 
with  powder  and  arms.  No.  68,         -  -  -  -  -       61 

Dispatch  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  February  16,  1862— Dis- 

posifion  of  arms  by  Victoria.    No.  69.  -  -  -  -       52 

Dispatch  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  February  16,  1862— Gen- 
eral Ruggles;  troops  for  Columbus.     No.  70,         -  -  -52. 


86 

PAGE. 

Dispatch    of    General  Lovell    to  J.   P.    Benjamin,  February  21,  18G2  — 

Amount  of  powder  and    arms   by  Victoria.     Nc.  71,  -  -      52 

Dispatch  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  "Benjamin,  February  21,1862 — 
Amount  of  powder  and  arms  by  Victoria  ;  rc-inforcements  to 
Corinth.     No.  72,         ---___.       53 

Dispatch  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  February  21,  1862-Pay 

of  men  for  Montgomery's  expedition.     No.  73,      -  -  -       53 

Dispatch  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  February  21,  1802— Arri- 
val of  "  Miramon  "  with  powderj  &c.    No.  74,        -  -  -       53 

Dispatch  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  February,  23, 1862 -Seiz- 
ure of  powder  and  arms  on  the  Miramon  and  Victoria.     No.  75,  -       53 

Letter  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  February  23,  1802  -When 
will  boats  be  ready  ;  General  Ruggles ;  appointment  of  offictcs  in 
new  regiments;  steamer  "  Tennessee  ;  "  impressment  of  powder, 
&c.  No.  70,      -  -  -  ■-  _  _  _  -       54 

Letter  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  February  24,  1802  -Ap- 
pointment of  surgeons  and  assistance  surgeons  for  newly  muster- 
ed regiments.    No.  77,  ---__.       55 

•Letter  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  General  Lovell,  February  26,  1862— Dispo- 
sition of  blankets.     No.  78.  -  -  -  .  -  -      £5 

Dispatch  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjansin,  February  26,  1862-Delay 

confirmation  of  captain  of  river  expedition.    No.  79,  -  -      55 

Dispatch  of  General  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  February  26,  1862— Pay 

for  vessels  for  river  defence.      No.  80,         -  -  -  -      56 

Letter  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  February  27,  1802.  Troops 
sent  to  Tennessee;  complaints  about  having  stripped  department 
of  troops;  call  upon  Governor  Moore  for  ten  thousand  militia; 
Butler's  Ship  Island  expedition;  Bowling  Green;  river  defence 
expedition;  deficiency  of  arms,  &c  ;  steamer  Tennessee;  payment 
for  vessels  seized;  transfer  of  guns  to  navy.    No.  81,         -  -       56 

Dispatch  of  Gen-  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  March  5,  1802— Powder  by 

Vanderbilt,  Victoria,  &c.     No.  82,     -  -  -  -  -       58 

Dispatch   of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to   Gen.  Lovell,   March  5,  1862— Reply  to 

above.     No.    83,  -  -  -  -  -  _  -       58 

.'Letter  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  J.  B.  Benjamin,  March  0,  1802 — Progress  of  ri- 
ver expedition;  powder  to  be  sent  to  Richmond;  complaint  of 
the  department  being  drained  of  powder,  arms,  &c.;  reinforce- 
ments to  Corinth  ;  unable  to  organize  militia  without  the  assistance 
of  a  general  officer;  refusal  of  persons  to  take  Confederate  notes; 
removal  of  stores  from  Baton  Rouge.   No.  84,         -  -  -       59 

Dispatch  of  Gen.  Lovell   to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  March  7,  1802 — Order  guns 

and  mortars  to  New  Orleans.     No.  85,  -  -  -  -       61 

Letter  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  March  9,  1862— Troops  sent  to 
Tennessee;  department  completely  s  ripped  of  troops;  dissatis- 
faction  of  people  ;  if  attack  intended  on  New   Orleans   will   be 
made  soon.  No.  80,     -  -  -  -  -  -  -       61 

<Letter  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  March  10,  1S02— River  expedi- 
tion; complaints  of  weakening  city  by  sending  away  troops.  No. 
8", ,    -  -       62 

Dispatch  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  March  11,  1862 — Exhaustion 

of  river  defence  fund.s.     No.  fcS,         -  -  -  -  -       63 

Letter  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  Gen.  Lovell,  March   12,  1862— Commanders 

of  river  expedition.    No.  89,  -  -  -  -  -  -       63 

Letter  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  Gen.  Lovell,  March  22,  1802— Letter  before 
turning  over  the  aifairs  of  the  department  to  G.  W.  Randolph, 
tooching  on  many  subjects  of  importance.   No.  90,  -  -       05 

Dispatch  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  J.P.Benjamin,  March  22,  1862— Requests 
order  to  be  sent  to  Gen.  Jones  to  send  columbiads  and  sea  coast 
mortars.    No.  91,         -  -  -  -  -  -  -       66 

Dispatch  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Binjamin,  march  22,  1862— Reporting 

seven  vessels  of  enemy  inside  mouth  of  river.    No.  92,     -  -      67 


87 

rAGE. 

Dispatch  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to   Gen  Lovell,  March  23,  1S62— Reply  to 

dispatch  of  22d  March.    No.  93,         -  -  -  -  -       67 

Letter  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  March  22,  1862— River  defence 
expedition;  complaint  of  citizens  in  regard  to  unprotected  condi- 
tion of  city:  martial  law.    No.  94,  -  -  -  -  -       67 

Dispath  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  J.  P.  Benjamin,  March  29,  1862— Unable  to 

get  heavy  guns  from  Mobile.  No.  95,  -  -  -  -       69 

Dispatch  of  G.  W.  Randolph  to   Gen.  Lovell,  March  29, 1862— Reply  to 

above.  No.  Ofi,  -  ...  -  -  -  -       69 

Dispatch  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  G.  W.  Randolph,  March   31,  1862— Reply  to 

above.  No.  97,  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  '    6'.) 

Dispatch  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  G.  "VV.  Randolph,  April  3,  1862— Seizure  of 

Governor  Moore's  guns.    No.  98,     -  -  -  -  -       69 

Dispatch  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  Gen.  Cooper,  April  4, 1862- Col.  Smith;  pow- 
der from  Columbus.   No.  99,  -  -  -  -*-  -70 

Dispatch  of  Gon.  Cooper  to  Gen.  Lovell,  April  4,  1862— Reply  to  above. 

No.  If'O, "0 

Dispatch  of  G.W.Randolph  to  Gen.  Lovell,  April  4,  1862— Guns  be- 
longing to  Governor  Moore.    No.  101,  -  -  -  -       70 

Letter  of  G.' W.  Randolph  to  Gen.  Lovell,  April  7,  1862— Authorizing 

removal  of  iron  from  the  Mexican  Gulf  Railroad.   No.  102,  -       71 

Dispatch   of  Gen.  Lovell  to  G.  W.   Randolph,  April  9.  1862— Asking  if 

small  arms  can  be  sent  from  Richmond  to  New  Orleans.    No.  103,       71 

Dispatch  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  G.  W.  Randolph,  April  10,  1862— Same  sub- 
ject as  above.     No.  104,  -  -  -  -  -  -       .  I 

Dispatch  of  G.  W.  Randolph  to  Gen.  Lovell,   April  10,  1862— Cotton 

lined  boats.    No.  105,  ..----       71 

Dispatch  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  G.  W.  Randolph,  April   11,  1862— Protesting 

against  sending  the  Louisiana  up  the  river.    No.  106^  -  -       il, 

Dispatch  of  G.  W.  Randolph  to  Gen.  Lovell,  April  11,  1862— Reply  to 

dispatches  about  arms.     No.  107,      -  -  -  -  -       i^ 

Dispatch    of  Gen.  Lovell  to   G.  W,  Randolph,  April   11,  1862— Cotton 

lined  boats.   No.  10'^,  -------72 

Dispatch  of  G.  W.  Randolph  to  Gen.  Lovell,  April   11,  1862— Gunboat 

Louisiana.    No.  109,    -  -  -  -  -  -  -<- 

Dispatch  of  Gen.  Lovell   to    G.  W.  Randolph,  April   15,  1862— Enemy 

preparing  for  attack.  No.  110,  -  -  -  -  -       i^ 

Letter  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  G.  W.  Randolph,  April  15,  1862— Funds  for 
river  defence  expedition;  fortifying  Vicksburg;  enemy  below. 
No.  Ill, "3 

Dispatch  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  G.  W.  Randolph,  April  10,  1862— Commis- 
sary oat  of  funds.    No.  112,  -  -  -  -  -  -.4 

Dispatch  of  Gen.  LoVell  (o  G.  W,  Randolph,  April  22,  1862— Disposition 

of  cotton  and  tobacco  in  case  city  is  occupied.    No.  113,   -  -       '■» 

Letter  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  G.  W.  Randolph,  April   17,  1862— Scarcity  of 

provisions.     No.  114,-  -  -  -  -  -  -       i* 

Dispatch  of  Gen.  Lovell  to "G.  W.  Randolph,  April  23,  1862— Bombard- 
ment of  forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip.   No.  115,       -  -  -       <•♦ 

Dispatch  of  G.  W.  Randolph  to  Gen.  Lovell,  April  25,  1862— Disposition 
to  be  made  of  cotton  and  tobacco  in  event  of  occupation  of  city. 
No.  116, -       7G 

Dispatch  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  G.  W.  Randolph,  May  1,  1862— Cotton  and 

tobacco;  barracks  and  arsenal  at  Baton  Rouge.    No.  117,  -       '6 

Dispatch  of  Gen.  Lovell  to  G.  W.  Randolph,  May  2,  1862— Occupation 

of  New  Orleans  by  Butler.     No.  11*^,  -  -  -  -       76 

Dispatch   of  G.  W.  Randolph  to   Gen.  Lovell,   May  2,    1862— Repeating 

dispatch  of  April  25,  about  cotton  and  tobacco.    No.  119,  -  -      76 

Dispatch   of  G.  W.  Randolph  to   Gen.   Lovell,  May  3,  1862— Repeating 

above  dispatch.  No.  120,         -  -  -  -  -  -       77 

Dispatch   of  General   Lovell  to  G.   W.  Randolph,  May  4,  1862— Cotton 

and  tobacco ;  guerrilla  parties.    No.  121,      -  -  -  -      77 


88 

PAGE. 

Dispatch  of  G.  W.  Randolph  to  General  Lovell,  May  6,  1862 — Barracks 

and  arsenal  at  Baton  Rouge.    No.  122,  -  -  -  -       77 

Dispatch  of  G.  W.  Randolph  to  General  Lovell,  May  21,  1802 — Cotton 

and  tobacco  to  be  destroyed.  No.  123,  -  -  -  -      78 

Dispatch  of  General  Lovell  to  G.  W.  Randolph,  May  22,  1862— Reply  to 

above    No.  124 78 

Dispatch  of  G.  W.  Randolph  to  General  Lovell,  May  28, 1862 — Steamship 

Mexico  and  Orizata.    No.  125,  -  -  -  -  -      78 

Dispatch  of  G.  "W.  Randolph  to  General  Lovell,  May   31,  1862 — Claims 

for  repairs  on  gunboat;  General  Lovell,  &c.  No.  126,         -  -       78 

Dispatch  of  G.  W.  Randolph  to  General  Lovell,  June  1,  1802 — Amount 
to  credit  General  Lovell  on  books  of  Treasury;  transfer  of  same. 
No.  127, 79 

Dispatch  of  G.  W.  Randolph  to  General  Lovell,  June  5,  1P02 — Flag  of 
truce  to  Butler  about  citizens  put  to  work  with  ball  and  chain. 
No.  128, 79 

Dispatch  of  G.  W.  Randolph  to  General  Lovell,  June  6,  1862 — Pro- 
visions appropriated  by  Butler  belonging  to  citizens  of  New^  Or- 
leans. No.  129, 79 

Dispatch  of  G.  W.  Randolph  to  General  Lovell,  June  9,  1862 — Burning 

of  cotton  on  Big  Black  river.  No.  130,        -  -  -  -       80 

Letter  of  G.  W.  Randolph  to  General  Lovell,  June  10,  1862 — Evacuation 

of  forts  at  Grand  Caillon.  No.  131,  -  -  -  -       80 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  G.  W.  Randolph,  June  19,  1862— Reply  to 

above.  No.  182,  -  -  -  -  -  -  -      80 

Dispatch  of  G.  W.  Randolph  to   General  Lovell,  June  21,  1862 — Arms 

sent  to  Jackson;  disposition  of  same.  No.  133,      -  -  -      82 


COREESPONDENCE 


THE  PRESIDENT,  AVAR  DEPARTMENT 


aOVEIlNOK  T.  O.  ISIOOHE. 


EELATINQ    TO    TUB 


\ 


DEFENCES  OF  NEW  ORLEANS. 


SUBMITTED  IN  RESPONSE  TO^  A  RESOLUTION 

OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES 

PASSED  THIRD  FEBRUARY,  1863. 


K  1  C  H  M  0  N  D  : 

R.  M.  SMITH,  PUBLIC  PRINTER. 
18G3. 


/ 


(No.  1.) 

CORRESPONDENCE. 


(Governor  moore  to  tresident  davis. 

Headquarters  Louisiana  Militia,  } 
New  Orleans,  Sept.  20,  1861.     \ 

lion.  Jefferson  Davis,  President  Confederate  States: 

Dear  Sir  :  I  am  now  endeavoring  to  organize  the  militia  of  ray 
State,  in  order  that  we  may  be  in  some  state  of  preparation  for  an  at- 
tack.    The  generals,  and  some   of  their   subordinates,   at  a   recent 
meeting  to  concert  measures  to  this  end,  adopted  the  following  reso-_ 
lution,  which,  at  their  request,  I  forward  to  you: 

♦'  Resolved,  That  the  Governor  of  this  State  be  requested  respect- 
fully to  write  immediately  to  the  President  of  the  Confederate  States, 
and  ask  his  Excellency  to  appoint  and  send  to  New  Orleans  two  com- 
petent superior  officers,  one  of  the  corps  of  engineers  and  one  of  the 
artillery,  to  form  with  General  Twiggs  a  board  of  defence." 

Without  sanctioning  the  request  contained  in  the  last  part  of  the 
resolution,  concerning  the  board  of  defence,  which  appears  to  me  not 
consonant  to  military  usa^e  or  proprietyr  I  have  already  represented 
to  you  the  necessity  of  having  an  officer  here,  who,  with  youth,  energy 
and  military  ability,  would  infuse  some  activity  in  our  preparations 
and  some  confidence  in  our  people.  1  hope,  ere  this.  General  Van 
Dorn  has  acquainted  you  with  my  views,  which,  from  motives  of  deli- 
cacy, I  preferred  to  deliver  to  him  verbally  in  a  confidential  conversa- 
tion. 

The  generals  of  my  militia  have  designated  the  corps  from  which 
the  officers  to  be  sent  here  should  be  selected.  I  leave  that  to  your 
good  judgment,  asking  only  that  this  city,  the  most  important  to  be 
preserved  of  any  in  the  Confederacy,  and  our  coast,  the  most  exposed 
of  all  the  States,  be  no  longer  neglected. 
I  am,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  THOMAS  0.  MOORE. 


94 

(No.  2.) 
GOVERNOR  MOORE  TO  SECRETARY  OF  ^YAR. 

New  Okleans,  Sept.  22d,  1861. 

J.  P.  Benjamin, 

Acting  Secretary  of  War,  Richmond,  Va.  : 

Dear  Sir  :  Some  time  since  Captain  W.  W.  Breazeale  sent  me  his 
resignation  to  be  forwarded  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  on  account  of 
ill-health,  but  he  has  recovered  his  health  and  desires  to  withdraw  it. 
If  it  has  not  been  accepted  jMease  return  it  to  him  at  Natchitoches. 
He  belongs  to  the  third  regiment  (Colonel  Ilebert)  of  Louisiana  Vol- 
unteers in  Missouri,  and  a  high-toned,  gallant  gentleman,  and  parti- 
cipated in  the  battle  of  Oak  Mills  with  distinction.  * 

I  am  looking  anxiously  for  the  officers  you  promised  to  send  us. 
A  gentleman  by  the  name  of  Smith,  I  brieve  from  New  York,  is 
much  desired  here,  or  Captain  Boggs  at  Pensacola.  I  have  felt  con- 
siderable anxiety  (but  never  have  mentioned  it,  except  to  Moise) 
about  assistance  here  when  it  should  be  required.  You  are  now  in 
a  situation  not  to  send  off  a  man  from  Virginia,  Kentucky  or  Mis- 
souri. What  should  we  do  in  Louisiana  if  we  should  be  attacked  by 
even  thirty  thousand  men  ?  when  all  are  gone  and  arms  too  ?  Our 
fortifications  are  very  backward.  We  have  but  one  engineer  here,  (Major 
Smith,)  and  he  is  not  an  active  one  according  to  my  judgment.  I  am 
not  satisfied  with  our  situation — not  at  all ;  and  should  we  be  attacked 
by  any  strong  force,  I  am  fearful  of  the  result. 

My  arms  have  all  been  given  out,  and  all  gone.  We  could  get  the 
men,  but  would  be  of  no  use. 

I  sent  to  Cuba  for  guns  long  since,  and  made  a  failure.  I  have 
now  one  thousand  eight  hundred  there,  if  I  could  get  them,  besides  I 
have  sent  a  considerable  amount  to  another  point,  but  whether  I  shall 
ever  get  them  or  not  I  do  not  know,  and  as  for  our  reliance  on  the 
assistance  of  any  volunteers  now  in  those  States  where  hostilities 
exist,  whether  from  our  State  or  others,  it  is  very  poor.  It  is  high 
time  ample  provision  was  made  for  the  reception  of  our  enemies.  If 
they  cannot  raise  soldiers  rapidly,  they  can,  it  is  said,  raise  any  num- 
ber of  sailors  and  marines.  Dr.  Mackei  writes  from  Nashville  (just 
arrived  there  from  the  North)  that  gigantic  measures  are  being  adopted 
at  the  North  for  a  move  on  Louisiana,  and  no  secret  in  the  matter, 
and  that  he  believes  it  will  be  made  soon.  Now,  my  dear  sir,  do  at 
once  what  may  be  necessary  for  our  State.  I  can't  saij  any  more,  as 
my  office  is  filled  with  talkers. 

I  am  anxious  for  saltpetre.  I  am  alarmed  to  death  for  want  of 
powder.  Aid  us  in  these  materials,  as  we  could  fight  but  a  short  time 
with  present  supply. 

By  the  very  earnest  solicitations  of  General  Polk,  General  Twiggs 
has  consented  to  send  the  third  regiment  to  him,  so  you  can,  if  agree- 


95 

able,  leave  the  fourth  here,  but  if  it  remains  across  the  lak:  it  would 
do  no  good  for  the  defence  of  the  city. 

General  Dahlgreen  is  over  the  lake  "with  fifteen  hundred  or  two 
thousand  men.  Is  that  force  not  sufficient  ?  I  desire  to  write  you 
relative  to  the  gentleman  above,  and  may  do  so.  If  I  do  not  another 
will. 

Yours,  very  truly, 
(Signed,)  THOMAS  0.  MOORE. 


(No.  3.) 

New  Orleans,  September  22d,  1861. 

J.  r.  Benjamin,  Richmond : 

Letters  16th  received.  Thirteenth  regiment  ordered  to  Columbus. 
Can't  the  fourth  remain  ?  Send  officers  at  once.  I  dispatched  you 
for  saltpetre.     None  yet  received. 

(Signed,)    •  T.  0.  MOORE. 


(No.  4.) 

Richmond,  September  23d,  1861. 
Governor  T.  0.  Moore,  New  Orleans : 

I  shall  not  move  the  fourth  regiment  from  Louisiana  without  the 
most  urgent  necessity.  Shall  send  one  or  two  brigadier  generals  to 
New  Orleans  this  week.  Two  tons  of  saltpetre  were  ordered  from 
Augusta  to  New  Orleans  on  the  19th  instant. 

(Signed,)  •       J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Acting  Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  5.) 

New  Orleans,  September  25,  1861. 
J.  P.  Benjamin,  Richmond : 

General  Twiggs  requests  me  to  seize  all  the  pork  in  city — about  two 
thousand  five  hundred  barrels.     Shall  I  do  it  ? 

(Signed,)  T.  0.  MOORE. 


96 

(No.  6.) 

Richmond,  September  25th,  1861. 
Governor  T.  0.  Moore,  New  Orleans  : 

I  know  no  necessity  for  seizing  the  pork.     Do  you  see  any  need  ot 
it? 

(Sigted,)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Acting  StcrHary  of  War. 


(No.  7.) 

Richmond,  September  25th,  1861. 
Governor  T.  0.   Moore,  Neio  Orleans  : 

I  have  ordered  one  hundred  barrels  of  cannon  powder  sent  to  you 
from  Nashville,  and  ten  more  tons  of  saltpetre  from  Augusta. 

(Signed,)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Acting  Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  8.) 

Richmond,  Va.,  September  26,  1861. 
Gov.  Tnoa.  0.  Moore,  of  Louisiana  : 

Sir  :  Yours  of  the  20th  instant,  containing  a  copy  of  a  resolution 
which  you  informed  me  was  adopted  by  the  General-s  and  some  "of  the 
subordinates  of  the  militia  of  Louisiana  has  been  received.  I  concur 
in  your  objection  to  a  proposition  for  a  "  board  of  defence ;"  and  in 
relation  to  the  other  point,  would  say,  that  long  since  one  of  the  best 
ofiBcers  in  the  engineer  corps,  and  of  superior  rank.  Major  M.  L. 
Smith,  was  sent  to  Louisiana  to  perform  the  duties  of  chief  engineer 
there.  If  from  any  cause  he  has  been  found  incompetent,  I  regret 
that  the  evidence  was  not  laid  before  me  so  that  he  might  have  been 
removed. 

General  Van  Dorn  has  not  communicated  to  me  the  views  which 
you  intrusted  to  him  to  be  orally  delivered ;  but  from  various  sources 
I  have  learned  that  General  Twiggs  has  proven  unequal  to  his  com- 
mand. As  in  his  selection  I  yielded  much  to  the  solicitation  of  the 
people  of  New  Orleans,  I  think  they  should  sooner  have  informed  me 
of  the  mistake  they  had  made.  Your  own  recent  letter  was  the  first 
information  received  by  me.  I  have,  however,  directed  Mansfield 
Lovell,  who  is  no  doubt  known  to  you  by  reputation,  to  be  appointed 
a  brigadier  general,  and  assigned  to  duty  in  connection  with  the  de- 
fences of  New  Orleans  and  the  adjacent  coast.     It  is  some  weeks 


97 

since  I  met  a  committee  from  your  city,  charged  witli  propositions  for 
the  defences  of  New  Orleans,  and  had  hoped  the  needful  works  for 
■defence  were  under  construction  and  repair.  In  the  meantime,  I  have 
endeavored  to  provide  the  necessary  armament  and  munitions. 

Should  your  worst  apprehensions  be  realized — which  I  cannot  bring 
myself  to  believe,  when  I  remember  how  much  has  been  done  for  the 
defence  of  New  Orleans  since  1815,  both  in  the  construction  of  works 
and  facilities  for  transportation — I  hope  a  discriminating  public  will 
acquit  this  government  of  having  neglected  the  defences  of  your 
coast,  and  approaches  to  New  Orleans. 

I  am  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 

.A'*true  copy : 

Burton  N.  Harrison,  Private  Secretary, 


(No.  9.) 

New  Orleans,  September  27th,  186 1. 

J,  P.  Benjamin,  Richmond  : 

No  pork  here  except  amount  mentioned.     What  are  we  to  do  for 
•our  volunteers  here  ?     Answer, 

(Signed,)  T.  0.  MOORE. 


(No.   10,) 
New  Orleans,  September  2Sth,  1861, 


J,  P.  Benjamin,  Richmond 

y  guns  are  gone — are 
hed  you  about  pork  I 
(Signed,)  T,  0,  MOORE 


My  guns  are  gone — are  all  distributed.     Can  any  be  had  ?     I  tele- 
graphed you  about  pork  I  seized.     Answer. 


(No.  11.) 

New  Orleans,  September  29th,  1861. 
J.  P.  Benjamln,  Richmond: 

I  seized  pork  against  your  advice.  Will  release  if  not  wanted. 
Generals  not  arrived.  Have  not  arms  for  volunteers  in  camp.  Have 
you  any  ?     What  am  I  to  do  ?     Answer.    . 

(Signed,)  T.  0.  MOORE. 

7 


98 

(No.  12.) 

GOVERNOR  MOORE  TO  SECRETARY. OF  WAR. 

New  Orleans,  September  29,  186L 
lion.  J,  P.  Benj.a.iMin  r 

My  Dear  Sir  :  I  have  about  three  thousand  five  hundred  men  ia 
camp  organized  into  companies  and  three  regiments  formed,  including 
the  thirteenth.  Colonel  Gibson's,  and  have  not  arms  for  them  all.  I 
am  now  sorry  that  I  ever  sent  oft"  so  many,  as  they,  with  the  volun- 
teers who  took  them  off  are  so  occupied,  I  fear  I  shall  not  get  thera 
back  when  needed.  It  seems  that  all  will  be  wanted  that  are  in 
Virginia,  Tennessee,  Kentucky  and  -Missouri,  where  they  are,  if  so, 
we  are  here  certainly  in  rather  an  unpleasant  situation,  for  if  we  could 
raise  the  men  we  could  not  arm  them.  Our  fortifications  have  pro- 
gressed slowly,  it  having  rained  almost  every  day  since  they  were 
commenced,  but  now  we  are  getting  on  more  rapidly,  the  weather  im- 
proved, and  more  force  put  on  the  works.  We  are  much  in  need  of 
engineers  and  other  officers,  as  I  before  wrote  you,  I  see  the  necessity 
for  them  daily.  General  Twiggs'  age  precludes  the  possibility  of  his 
doing  the  labor  necessary  to  a  command  of  the  magnitude  and  impor- 
tance of  this,  and  an  officer  here  should  be  able  to  visit  and  inspect 
every  place.  Even  were  I  possessed  of  the  military  qualifications, 
with  my  present  ofiicial  duties,  I  could  do  nothing  in  that  way.  The 
raft  was  placed  across  the  river  at  the  forts  on  yesterday  I  think,  it 
was  all  ready,  and  the  engineer  went  down  to  place  it  three  days  since, 
so  I  trust  nothing  can  pass  the  forts. 

We  have  not  heard  of  the  fleet  that  has  left  with  the  twenty  thousand 
mon,  but  I  have  no  doubt,  and  that  is  the  impression  generally,  that 
it  is  destined  to  other  points  besides  Brunswick.  We  can  be  greatly 
harrassed  here  on  our  entire  coast,  and  no  doubt  will  be,  and  I  am 
kept  constantly  distressed  at  the  incompetency,  as  I  consider,  of  our 
commander.  If  any  thing  is  to  be  done  here  you  must  send  us  officers 
and  more  arms.  The  fourth  regiment,  I  trust,  will  not  be  sent  off,  but 
that  it  will  be  brought  over.  Cannot  General  Dahlgreen  take  care  of 
the  lake  coast  ?  I  ftar  he  is  not  the  man  that  should  he  there. 

I  am  now  waiting  for  the  saltpetre,  as  I  am  informed  the  mill  is 
ready,  but  every  thing  by  rail  moves  so  slow  !  so  slow !  I  have  had 
Major  Ramsey  to  dispatch  the  whole  line  to  forward  it  as  fast  as  pos- 
&ible.  The  amount  of  powder  here  is  very  small  compared  to  what  ia 
necessary,  and  a  knowledge  of  that  fact  keeps  up  a  constant  excite- 
ment among  our  people. 

I,  notwithstanding  your  advice  to  the  contrary,  seized  the  pork  in 
the  city,  and  telegraphed  you  (  but  have  had  no  reply,)  and  shall  hold 
it  unless  requested  by  you  to  act  otherwise,  as  I  see  no  way  to  feed 
our  troops  without  it,  but  hope  you  do,  as  your  advice  was  to  that 
effect.     Write  me  fully  on  that  point. 

I3  th^  government  doing  anything  to  clothe  and  shoe  our  troops,  I 
do  not  learn  that  it  is  ?     I  have  sent  a  suit  of  clothes  and  under  clothes,, 


99 

blankets  and  shoes  to  our  regiment  in  Missouri,  and  blankets  for  our 
entire  force  in  Virginia,  and  clothing  for  the  first  and  second  regi- 
ments, -with^hoes  also  for  the  xohole  force,  but  pi;o vision  ought  to  be 
made  for  another  pair  of  shoes,  as  some  of  those  I  sent,  I  fear  will  not 
last  very  -well,  but  they  were  the  best  to  be  had. 

Have  arrangements  been  made  by  government  for  arms  in  Europe, 
certainly  arms  ought  to  have  been  procured  before  this.  I  have  about 
one  thousand  six  hundred  in  Havana,  and  have  one  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  dollars  in  Engiond  to  purchase  more,  the  only  trouble  is  to 
get  them  here.  Can't  Mr.  Slidcll,  who  leaves  soon,  give  some  aid  and 
advice  in  the  matter,  he  knows  the  parties  acting  for  me.  I  expect 
something  done,  indeed,  everything  that  is  necessaiy  for  us,  for  I  have 
tried  to  do  so  for  the  Confederacy.  I  hardly  know  what  I  have  written, 
I  am  so  constantly  troubled  by  visitors  on  business. 

Yours  truly, 
^Signed,)  TIIO.  0.  MOORE. 

Dr.  Stone  visits   Richmond  on   business  generally,  relative  to  Qur 
situation  here,  and  can  give  you  a  great  deal  information  as  to  our' 
wants,  etc. 


(Xo.  13.)  • 

Richmond,  September  30,  1861- 

Governor  Thomas  0.  Moork,  New  Orleans: 

I   can    conceive  no   possible  reason  for   seizing   pork,  and  cannot* 
approve    it.     There    is  an    abundance  of  food    in    our  country,  and- 
private  rights  ought  not  to  be  invaded,  except  in  cases  of  necessity^ 
for  public  defense. 

(Signed,)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Acting  Secretary  of  Wan:. 


(No.  14.) 

RicHMO.ND,  September  30,  1861, 

Governor  Thomas  0,  Moore,  Neio  Orleans: 

Your  several  dispatches  about  arms  and  generals  received.     Pray' 
have  a  little  patience.     I  am  doing  the  best  I  can  with  the  means  at 
my  disposal,  and  you  don"t  allow  me  time  to  concert  the  arrangements' 
necessary  to  satisfy  you.     In   two  or  three  days  I  will  inform  you-i 
fully  of  what  is  to  be  done. 

(Signed,)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Acting  S(.crvtary  of  War. 


100 

(No.  15.) 

SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  GOVERNOR  MOT)RE. 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ^ 
War  Department,  > 

Richmond,  October  13,  1861.      ) 
To  Governor  Thomas  0.  Moore,  Neio  Orleans : 

My  Dear  Sir  :  I  snatch  a  moment  this  (Sunday)  evening  to  answer 
your  favor  of  29th  ultimo. 

Matters  have  been  so  changed  since  the  date  of  that  letter  that  it 
is  scarcely  necessary  to  do  more  than  say,  that  I  have  used  every 
effort  in  my  power  to  put  in  such  a  position  as  shall  allay  all  fears  re- 
lative to  the  defences  of  New  Orleans. 

Major  General  Mansfield  Lovell,  a  brilliant,  energetic  and  accom- 
plished officer  has  been  assigned  to  the  command  of  your  Department. 
Powder,  saltpetre  and  cannon  have  been  forwarded,  and  will  be  still 
further  supplied  as  fast  as  they  can  be  possibly  spared,  and  the  recent 
gallant  dash  of  Captain  Ilollins  at  the  blockading  fleet,  must  have 
infused  new  life  and  spirit  into  our  people. 

The  Government  is  fast  providing,  to  the  extent  of  its  ability, 
aiioes  and  clothing  for  our  troops,  and  is  greatly  relieved  in  this  her- 
culean task  by  the  patriotic  and  generous  aid  of  just  such  Governors 
of  States  as  our  own  "  Tom  Moore." 

I  am  sure  you  will  be  persuaded  that  nothing  I  can  do  shall  be  left 
undone  for  the  defence  of  Louisiana,  whilst  you  would  not  wish,  I  am 
equally  sure,  that  I  should  neglect  the  defences  of  other  points  of 
importance  in  order  to  concentrate  all  our  resources  in  New  Orleans 
alone. 

Yours,  very  truly, 
(Signed,)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN. 


(No.   16.) 

New  Orleans,  October  14,  1861. 
Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War,  Richmond : 
We  want  muskets  without  delay.     Send  us  some. 

(Signed,)  T.  0.  MOORE. 


(No.  17.) 

Richmond,  October  16,  1861. 
'Governor  Thomas  0.  Moore,  New  Orleans  : 

Will  send  you  the  very  first  muskets  that  I  can  dispose  of. 
(Signed,)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Acting  Secretary  of  War, 


101 

(No.  18.) 

New  Orleans,  October  23,  1861. 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War,  Richnwnd : 

Harris  G.  Pearson,  of  "  Orleans  Southerns,"  fifth  Louisiana  regi- 
ment. Colonel  Hunt,  at  Williamsburg,  is  wanted  here  to  drill  ''  Cre- 
scent "  Artillery.     Can  he  be  spared  ?     Answer. 

(Signed,)  .  T.  0.  MOORE. 


(No.   19.) 

Richmond,  October  26,  1861. 

Governor  T.  0.  Moore,  New  Orleans,  La.  : 

I  have  sent  two  fine  artillery  ofiicers  to  Louisiana  within  a  week. 
Cannot  take  any  body  from  the  Peninsula  of  Virginia  at  present. 
Will  continue  to  send  good  ofiicers  as  fast  as  I  can  get  them. 

(Signed,)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Acting  Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  20.) 

,  New  Orleans,  November  8,  1861. 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War,  Richmcnd  : 

Mill  here  now  ready.  Can  make  three  thousand  (3,000)  pounds 
powder  per  day,  but  without  an  ounce  of  saltpetre.  Can't  you  send 
it  from  Memphis  ? 

(Signed,)  T.  0.  MOORE. 


t         (No.  21.) 

Richmond,  November  8,  1861. 

Governor  Thomas  0.  Moore,  New  Orleans : 

It  is  impossible  for  me  to  comprehend  what  has  beceme  of  the  salt- 
petre sent  to  New  Orleans.  I  have  sent  twenty-four  tons,  and  can- 
not learn  that  one  pound  has  been  received,  or  one  pound  of  powder 
made.  On  the  26th  September,  three  tons  were  sent  by  freight;  on 
27th  September,  one  ton  was  sent  by  express ;  on  the  1st  October, 
three  tons  were  sent  by  express ;  on  2d  October,  seven  tons  were  sent 
by  express;  on  2d  November,  ten  tons  were  sent  by  express.     All 


102 

this  was  sent  from  Augusta,  and  I  cannot  get  tlie  ackno"wledguient 
that  one  pound  was  ever  received,  and  you  now  say  you  have  not  one 
ounce.     This  mystery  must  be  explained  before  I  can  send  any  more. 
(Signed,)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN,     . 

Acting  Secretary  of  War. 


( iTo.  22.) 

GOVERNOR  MOORE  TO  SECRETARY  OF  WAR. 

New  Orleans,  December  2,  186!. 
J.  P.  Benjamin,  Acting  Secretary  of  War: 

My  Dear  Sir:  I  desire  to  introduce  to  you  Captain  John  A.  Ste- 
phenson. Captain  S.  is  a  commission  merchant  of  New  Orleans  of 
high  standing.  He  constructed  and  built  the  Manassas.  He  is  a  man 
of  large  river  experience,  having  for  many  years  had  command  of 
steamboats  on  the  Mississippi.  Great  confidence  is  felt  by  our  com- 
munity in  his  skill,  energy  and  ability,  so  much  so  that  they  are  ready 
to  advance  the  means  to  build,  under  his  superinterdance,  another 
*'  ram."  This,  however,  they  will  not  do  without  some  assurance  that 
the  government ,  will  not  take  the  boat  out  of  the  possession  and  con- 
trol of  Captain  S.  The  fact  is,  that  while  great  confidence  is  felt 
here  in  Commodore  Hollins  as  a  naval  officer,  our  people  are  convinced 
that  he  is  led  astray  in  his  judgment  of  individuals,  as  he  has  no  just 
means  of  forming  a  correct  estimate  of  their  character  and  ability. 
It  is  no  disparagement  to  his  ability  as  an  officer  to  say  this  much  of 
him,  and  it  is  said  in  the  best  and  friendliest  spirit.  Wc  all  hope  you 
will  aid  in  carrying  out  the  wishes  of  our  people,  and  do  all  in  your 
power  to  further  the  object  in  view.  Captain  Stevenson  will  commu- 
nicate freely  with  you.  You  can  rely  upon  him. 
Very  truly  yours, 
(Signed,)  THO.  0.  MOORE. 


(No.  23.) 

New  Orleans,  Januiry  1,  1862. 


Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin 


Dear  SIr:  I  must  earnestly  request  the  thirteenth  Louisiana  regi- 
ment, as  well  as  the  third  (3d)  Mississippi,  be  ordered  back  to  New 
Orleans.  The  wretchedly  armed  green  troops  sent  here  from  Missis- 
sippi cannot  supply  the  place  of  Gibson's  regiment,  armed  by  me. 
We  are  here  entitled  to  that  regiment,  and  I  should  have  urged  that 
they  should  not  have  been  permitted  to  leave,  if  the  implied  promise 


103 

of  General  Polk  had  not  been  given  that  tbej  would  bave  been  returned 
when  needed.     Thej  are  needed. 

Yours  very  truly, 
(Signed,)  "         TIIOS.  0.  MOORE. 


(No.  24.) 

GOVERNOR  MOORE  TO  SECRETARY  OF  WAR. 

Xkw  Orleaxs,  January  31,  1862. 
To  the  Hon.  J.  P.  Bexjame.v,  Secretary  of  War,  Richmond,  Va.: 

S{R :  I  have  in*Iavana  some  eighteen  hundred  and  odd  Enfield  and 
Brunswick  rifles;  on  board  the  Gladiator  at  iS'assau  about  five  hun- 
dred; and  about  eight  hundred  at  Cardenas,  if  the  Stephen  Hart  that 
left  Liverpool  early  in  November  for  that  port,  has'arrived.  You 
have  a  valuable  cargo  of  arms,  etc.,  on  the  Gladiator  at  Nassau,  and 
arms  at  Cardenas,  for  which  Mr.  Ileyliger  Avas  sent.  .  The  difficulty 
thus  far  in  getting  these  arras  to  the  Confederate  States,  has  proven 
insuperable.  In  order  to  obtain  them,  as  they  are  so  greatly  needed, 
I  am  Avilling  to  incur  a  heavy  ri.sk  to  get  those  belonging  to  this  State, 
if  you  will  join  in  the  adventure,  and  the  risk  in  proportion  to  the 
amount  of  arms,  etc.,  which  you  have  at  the  places  referred  to.  I 
propose  to  take  up  a  fast  steamer,  we  have  many  here,  send  her  out 
with  or  without  cotton  as  you  prefer,  and  bring  home  the  arms.  I 
will  take  care  that  she  is  properly  officered,  with  competent  river  and 
coast  pilots  on  board.  There  are  a  number  of  steamers  hero  that  can 
outrun  anything  in  the  Navy  of  the  United  States,  and  I  feel  great 
confidence  in  the  success  of  the  enterprise. 

If  you  will  share  in  the  risk  on  the  terms  proposed,  telegraph  im- 
mediately. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

THO.  0.  MOORE,  Govcr^ior. 


(No.  2o.) 

New  Orleans,  February  15,  1862. 
J.  P.  Benjamin,  Richmond  : 

The  new  militia  law,  like  the  old,  rotjuircs  all  residents  to  do  mili- 
tary duty.  The  French,  English,  Spanish,  and  other  foreign  consuls 
protest  against  it,  their  respective  nationalities  being  ordered  outside 
the  limits  of  the  city,     I  do  not  wish  to  do  anything  that  will  conflict 


104 

with  the  police*  of  the  government ;  therefore,  how  shall  I  treat  these 
consuls — how  respond  to  their  protest  ?     Answer  immediately. 

(Signed,)       ^  T.  0.  MOORE. 


(No.  26.) 

Richmond,  February  16,  1862 
Gov.  Thos.  0.  Moore,  New  Orleans  : 

Foreign  residents  are  bound  to  do  duty  in  defence  of  the  city^ 
which  is  their  home.  But  the  President  does  not  deem  it  politic  to 
insist  on  their  serving  outside  of  the  city  defences. 

J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Secretary  of  W(n\ 


(No.  27.) 

C.  S.  A.,  War  Department, 


.  b.  A.,  War  Department,  > 
Richmond,  Feb.  24,  1862.    ] 


His  Excellency,  Thos.  0.  Moore,  New  Orleans,  La,  : 

Sir  :  I  must  apologise  to  you  for  my  delay  in  replying  to  your  let- 
ter of  the  31st  ultimo,  but  amidst  the  imm.ense  pressure  of  business- 
en  this  department  such  omissions  are  sometimes  unavoidable. 

I  can  now  only  inform  you  that  before  the  receipt  of  your  letter 
arrangements  had  been  made  for  all  the  arms  of  the  Confederate  Gov- 
ernment in  the  West  Indies, 

Respectfully, 
(Signed,)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Secretary  of  War, 


(No.  2S  ) 

New  Orleans,  Februairy  26,  1862, 
Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Fdchmond  : 

Raising  war  troops  is  extremely  difficult  and  slow.    If  Bsauregard's 

need  of  reinforcements  be  as  great  as   we  here  consider  it,  and  you; 

will  accept  volunteers  for  that   special  service  for  a  few  months,  I  can 

send  him  relief  immediately.     Aiaswer  quickly  and  state  shortest  time. 

(Signed,)  T.  0.  MOORE, 

Governor. 

*So  written  in  the  telegram.     Doubtless  '^policy  ^'  was  intended. 


105 

(No.  29.) 

RicHMOKD,  March  1st,  1862. 
Gov.  Thomas  0.  Moore,  iVcw  Orleans: 

You  may  accept  all  armed  men  that  will  go  to  reinforce  General 
Beauregard  for  a  term  of  six  months,  under  the  law  for  local  defence 
and  special  service. 

(Signed,)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Sicrctary  of  War. 


(No.  30.) 

Executive  Office,  New  Orleans, 
February  2G,  1862. 

To  his  Excellency,  Jefferson  Davis, 

President  of  the  Confederate  Stats,  Richmond: 

Sir  :  This  letter  will  be  delivered  to  you  by  Mr.  William  Hender- 
son, a  citizen  of  this  place,  and  a  gentleman  of  probity,  integrity  and 
excellent  standing,  1  have  deputed  him  as  a  special  messenger  to 
place  in  your  hands  a  memorial  from  the  executive  sub-committee 
of  a  "  comii  ittee  of  safety,"  appointed  by, the  city  council  to  render 
such  aid  as  they  may  be  able  to  the  State  and  Confederate  authorities 
in  this  department.  I  refer  you  to  the  memorial  itself  for  its  design, 
and  to  Mr.  Henderson  for  any  explanations  you  may  desire,  not  em- 
bodied in  the  memorial. 

I  cannot  suppose  that  your  excellency  has  been  fully  apprised  of 
the  evils  which  the  memorial  presents  to  your  attention  and  consider- 
ation, and  I  most  earnestly  recommend  it  to  you.  Your  excellency 
will,no  doubt  appreciate  the  necessity  for  immediate  action  to  preserve 
not  only  the  dignity  and  credit  of  the  navy  department,  but  also  to 
proviile  such  defences  as  we  are  in  absolute  and  immediate  need  of. 

Citizens  as  well  as  the  incorporated  banks  of  the  city  are  generous 
in  their  support  of  the  government,  and  I  have  no  fears  that  this  gen- 
erosity will  be  abused. 

I  am,  sir,  with  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  TIIOS.  0.  MOORE, 

Governor  of  Louisiana. 
A  true  copy : 

Burton  N.  Harrison,  Private  Secreta  y. 


106 

(No.  31  ) 

New  Orleans,  Feb.  26,  1862. 
To  His  Excellency  The  President, 

Of  the  Confederate  States  of  America : 

Sir  :  In  the  present  disturbed  condition  of  our  country  it  has  been 
deemed  expedient  by  our  city  council  to  appoint  a  committee  of  some 
sixty  persons  to  be  styled  the   "  Committee  of  Safety.  " 

The  object  of  said  committee  is  to  aid  and  co-operate  with  the  State 
and  government  authorities  in  rendering  this  department  as  complete 
and  effectual  as  possible.  The  committee  is  composed  of  gentlemen 
of  standing  and  influence,  and  who  have  appointed  the  undersigned 
their  executive  committee,  and  who  are  not  insensible  of  the  labors 
and  responsibiliiies  placed  upon  them.  They  feel  that  your  Excellen- 
cy will  not  be  offended  at  their  desire  to  co-operate  with  the  constitu- 
tional authorities,  in  this  our  struggle  for  liberty  and  independence. 

They  find,  from  investigation,  that  the  naval  department  at  this 
station,  as  far  as  finances  are  concerned,  is  in  a  most  deplorable  con- 
dition, retarding  by  this  course  the  manufacture  of  all  kinds  for  that 
department ;  also,  preventing  the  enlisting  of  men  for  that  branch  of 
the  public  service. 

The  undersigned  committee  have  been  led  to  believe  that  your  Ex- 
cellency could  not  be  awq^^-e  of  the  extent  to  which  the  naval  depart- 
ment at  this  station  has  been  reduced. 

They  therefore  beg  leave  respectfuUly  to  represent  some  of  the  bad 
elfects  which  will  naturally  and  certainly  follow  in  case  this  defect  is 
not  promptly  remedied  by  placing  an  adequate  amount  of  funds  at  the 
disposal  of  that  department  to  liquidate  its  present  indebtedness,  and 
provide  for  future  contingencies. 

The  present  outstanding  indebtedness,  (judging  from  facts  placed 
before  this  committee,)  cannot  be  less  than  six  or  eight  hundred 
thousand  dollars.  A  large  portion  of  this  is  owing  to  the  foundries 
for  shells,  fuze,  &c.,  to  the  machine  shops,  to  draymen,  &c.,  kc. 
Many  of  the  bills  have  been  approved  by  the  proper  officers,  and  still 
no  means  provided  for  their  payment,  although  some  them  have  stood 
over  for  four  or  six  months.  It  has  come  to  the  positive  knowledge 
of  this  committee  that  some  of  these  establishments,  (so  much  needed 
in  the  present  emergency,)  have  given  notice  that,  for  want  of  the 
requisite  means,  they  are  forced  to  decline  any  further  orders  from 
the  government. 

It  has  also  come  to  the  knowledge  of  this  committee  that  private 
citizens  have  repeatedly  been  forced  to  raise  funds  for  this  department 
in  order  to  prevent  ihe  mechanics  in  the  employ  of  the  government 
from  stopping  work.  Indeed,  so  low  has  the  credit  of  that  partic- 
ular department  sunk,  that  draymen,  whose  bills  are  yet  unpaid,  hive 
refused  to  do  further  work. 

Your  Excellency  will  doubtless  agree  with  the  committee  that  this  is 
a  deplorable  state  of  things.     The  committee  have  been  careful  to  in- 


107 

vestigate  the  facts  so  as  not  to  place   before  your  Excellency  any 
thing  Avhich  cannot  be  substantiated. 

For  months  and  months  a  sign  has  been  hanging  over  the  payraas- 
master's  office  of  that  department  "  no  funds. "  The  coramitte  feel 
confident  that,  unless  the  proper  remedy  is  at  once  applied,  workmen 
cannot  longer  be  hand. 

The  committee  most  respectfullysubmit  this  statement  of  facts  to 
your  consideration,  and  for  the  interest  of  our  common  cause,  and  the 
safety  of  our  city,  would  respectfully  request  that  you  would  give  our 
citizens  through  this  committee  some  asssurance  that  the  present  state 
of  affairs  in  that  department  will  be  changed  for  the  better. 
(Signed) 

S.  L.  JAMES, 
S.  0.  NELSON, 
J.  P.  HARRISON, 
R.  C.  CUMMINGS, 
T.  GREENFIELD, 

A  true  copy. 

Burton  IT.  Harrison, 

Frivatc  Secretary. 

Endorsed  by  the  Preaidcnt. 

"  Secretary  of  the  Navy  for  pi'ompt  attention  and  report. 
''(Signed) 

"  JEFFERSON  DAVIS." 


(No.  32.) 

Confederate  States  of  AMERtCA,  ^ 

War  Department,       > 
Richmond,  March  8,  1862.  )      ' 
To  the  President  : 

Sir  :  For  your  information  I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following 
statement  in  reference  to  the  coT.munication  of  the  committee  of 
safety  of  New  Orleans,  submitted  to  me  this  day. 

The  credit  of  the  government  has  doubtless  suffered  in  New  Or- 
leans from  the  failure  of  the  treasury  to  meet  the  requisitions  of  the 
department,  and  this  has  been  a  constant  source  of  embarrassment  to 
the  department,  and  of  annoyance  to  its  creditors  and  disbursing 
agents  in  that  city. 

I  have  repeatedly  brought  the  subject  to  the  attention  of  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Treasury  and  invoked  prompt  payment,  though  I  have  felt 
that  with  his  limited  power  to  produce  treasury  notes,  and  under  the 
rule  adopted  giving  priority  to  certain  disbursements  for  the  army, 
he  was  powerless  to  correct  the  evil,  here  is  my  last  letter  to  him  upon 


lOS 

the  subject.  (Letter  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  dated  Feb- 
ruary 22d,  1862.)  The  requisitions  of  this  department,  upon  the 
treasury  for  money  to  meet  payments  in  New  Orleans,  have  usually 
been  made  immediately  upon  hearing  from  its  disbursing  officers  the 
amount  required,  and  always,  I  think,  within  twenty-four  hours  there- 
after; but  the  delay  of  the  treasury  in  paying  them,  has  been  from 
twenty-jSve  to  forty  days.  In  some  cases  the  Treasury  Department 
has  after  long  delay,  instead  of  sending  notes  for  which  our  creditors 
were  waiting,  sent  drafts  for  Confederate  Bonds  payable  in  Richmond, 
and  which  drafts  were  useless  to  our  agents  and  creditors  there,  and 
•which,  therefore,  had  to  be  returned  to  Richmond  for  payment,  and  ^ 
then  sent  to  New  Orleans,  thus  still  further  protracting  payment. 

This  has  been  a  source  of  great  embarrassment  to  this  department, 
and  complaint  of  its  creditors.  In  one  of  these  cases  a  requisition 
for  $42,01)0  was  dated  December  24th,  1861,  payable  to  navy  agent 
Wm.  B.  Howell  on  the  6th  February,  1862,  he  received  a  draft,  one- 
half  in  notes  and  one  half  in  bonds,  at  Richmond.  His  letter  of  ad- 
vice was  received  February  15th,  and  on  the  17th  of  February  I 
called  upon  the  treasurer  for  the  requisition,  forty- eight  days  after- 
wards. 

When  the  department  draws  its  requisition  in  favor  of  its  creditors, 
upon  an  existing  appropriation,  its  duty  and  its  power  are  alike  ex- 
hausted, and  though  the  department  has  endured  the  emparrassmcnt 
consequent  upon  these  delays,  and  which  it  had  not  the  power  to 
avert;  it  has  felt  that  the  condition  of  the  treasury  rendered  them 
inevitable,  and  that  the  responsibility  for  them  was  with  that  depart- 
ment. Our  agents  are  instructed  to  make  all  contract  they  can  pay- 
able partly  ia  bonds,  and  they  do  so,  and  in  such  cases  our  requi- 
sition calls  for  the  amount  of  bonds  to  be  sent;  but  the  treasury,  as 
you  will  see  by  the  secretary's  letter,  deems  it  proper  to  send  bonds, 
"when  not  required,  and  when  we  cannot  use  them,  and  embarrassment 
to  the  department  and  losses  to  creditors  inevitably  fo'low.  Our 
agents,  from  the  nature  of  their  disbursement,  can  dispose  of  bonds 
only  to  a  very  limited  extent. 

The  following  telegram  from  our  navy  agent,  and  the  treasury 
comments  thereon  will  thus  show  the  character  of  these  transactions. 
"Telegram."  ''Ordnance  mony  received;  one-half  in  drafts  on  Rich- 
mond, payable  in  bonds  which  cannot  use.  Shall  I  pay  for  what  stores 
received  as  advised  you  in  my  letter  of  Feb.  8th.  Answer  of  Secre- 
tary. "I  return  you  the  telegram  of  Navy  Agent  Howell;  if  you 
"will  examine  the  acts  of  Congress,  you  will  find  that  a  large  amount 
of  the  means  furnished  by  Congress  to  pay  the  expenditures  consists 
of  bonds ;  these  must  be  distributed  among  these  expenditures  for 
which  alone  they  can  be  used,  and  I  see  no  remedy  but  to  require  your 
agents  to  make  their  contracts  accordingly.  It  is  not  possible  to 
supply  the  means,  except  in  the  form  provided  by  Congress,  and  if 
the  agents,  instead  of  complaining,  would  set  themselves  to  aid  the 
government  by  disposing  of  the  bonds,  there  would  be  no  diflSculty." 

Similar  cases  are  constantly  occuring,  and  this  day  I  am  notified  by 
telegram,  that  upon  a  requisition  to  pay  a  debt  due  in  notes  drawn  by 


109 

me  one  month  ago,  one-third  of  the  amount  was  sent  to  New  Orleans 
in  bonds,  which,  of  course,  the  creditor  declines  to  recieve. 

Embarrassment  to  creditors  has  also  arisen  in  New  Orleans  from 
the  following  circumstances  :  Captain  Ilollins,  without  the  knowledge 
or  authority  of  the  department,  without  acquainting  it  with  his  ac- 
tions, and  when  no  oppropriation  existed  for  meeting  the  payment, 
made  contracts  for  ordnance  and  ordnance  stores,  amounting  to  about 
$500,001).  The  amount  of  these  contracts  was  for  a  long  time  un- 
known to  the  department,  and  information  of  their  extent  was  first 
acquired  through  the  contractors  themselves.  The  navy  agent  and 
an  officer  sent  specially  for  the  purpose,  were  instructed  to  ascertain 
their  amount,  and  an  estimate  was  submitted  to  Congress,  and  an  ap- 
propriation obtained  to  pay  tbem  at  the  earliest  possible  moment  there- 
after, and  on  the  very  day  I  received  the  act  of  Congress,  I  made  a 
requisition  for  the  funds,  and  they  have  been  placed  in  New  Orleans 
to  meet  all  demands  which  have  come  to  hand. 

The  statement  of  the  committee  of  safety,  as  to  the  amount  of  in- 
debtedness is  totally  incorrect.  No  such  amount  as  from  $6()0,000 
to  $800,000  has  been  outstanding,  and  if  the  treasury  department  has 
sent  to  the  disbursing  agents  of  this  department,  the  money  fur  its 
requisition  of  the  1st  of  March  for  §3it(),0(i(),  they  have  funds  in 
hand  more  than  sufficient  to  meet  every  cent  due  by  the  department, 
and  of  which  it  has  any  knowledge. 

I  annex  copies  of  my  letters  to  the  treasury  department,  and  here- 
with return  the  communica'ion  of  the  committee  of  safety. 
I  am,  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  R.  MALLORY, 
Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

A  copy  of  the  foregoing  report  was  forwarded  to  the  "committee 
of  safety,"  by  the  President's  direction,  by  his  Private  Secretary  as 
soon  as  received. 

BURTON  N.  HARRISON, 

Private  Secretary. 
Richmond  Ya.,  March  6,  1863. 


(No.  33.) 

New  Orleans,  March  4,  136 2. 

J.  P.  Benjami.v,  liichmond : 

Am  rapidly  organizing  troops  under  Beauregard's  call  for  ninety 
day  men,  dated  February  twenty-eighth,  in  accordance  with  act 
twenty-first  August.  They  will,  I  have  no  doubt,  re-enlist.  Did  the 
Nashville  bring  arms  for  me  ?  If  so,  pray  order  them  forward  at 
once,  as  the  troops  going  away  will  leave  so  few  arms  behind  that  we 
shall  have  a  panic,  I  fear. 

(Signed,)  TIIOS.  0.  MOORE,  Governor. 


no 

(Xo.  34.) 

Richmond,  MarcL  6,  18C2. 
Governor  T.  0.  Moore,  New  Orleans: 
The  Nashville  brought  no  arms. 

(Signed,)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Secretary  of  War. 


( No.  35.) 

New  Orleans,  March  6,  1862. 
J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  War,  Richmond: 

On  the  second  (2d)  of  February,  G.  T.  Ilaoul  offered  to  build  certain 
gun-carriages  at  five  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  each.  Offer  accepted 
by  Colonel  Gorgas  on  fifteenth.  Letter  received  two  days  ago.  Price 
of  iron  so  much  advanced  that  he  cannot  build  under  six  hundred  and 
fifty.  Shall  he  build  at  that  price  ?  The  longer  the  delay  the  higher 
will  be  the  price  of  iron.  If  the  proposition  be  accepted,  forward 
drawings  imn^ediatelv.     Answer. 

(Signed,)  "  T.  0.  MOORE. 


(No.  36.) 

Richmond,  March  12,  1862, 

Governor-  Thomas  0.  Moorf,  New  Orkans' 

If  you  vrant  the  gun-carriages  in  New  Orleans,  you  may  take  what 
you  want  from  G.  T.  Raoul  at  six  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  as  you 
suo^gest,  but  we  do  not  want  any  here  at  that  price. 

(Signed,)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  37.) 

TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  Va.,  March  13,  1862. 
Governor  Thomas  0.  Mooue,  New  Orleans,  La.: 

You  are  requested  to  proclaim  martial  law  in  my  name  over  the 
Parishes  of  Orleans,  Jefferson,  St.  Bernard  and  Plaquemines. 

(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAA^S. 

A  true  copy : 

Burton  N.  Harbison,  Private  Secretary. 


Ill 

( No.  38.) 

New  Orleans,  March  22,  18G2. 

J.  P.  Benjamin,  Richmond: 

Steamship  which  left  Enghnd  about  first  (1st)  Fobriiarj,  must  be 
in  Nassau  now.  I  have  a  supply  of  arms  on  her,  so  have  you'. 
Telegraph  immediately  if  you  intend  to  send  for  the  cargo.  If  you 
do  not,  I  will  send  for  ray  share. 

( Signed,)  THOS.  0.  MOORE,  Governor. 


(No.  39.) 

GoTcrnor  T.  0.  Moore,  New  Orleans: 

RiCHMONn,  March  22,  1862. 
Am  making  arrangements  to  get  cargo  from  Nassau,     I  will  act  for 
the  State  of  Louisiana   in  the  same  manner  as  for  the  Confederate 
States,  if  you  iiuthorize  me. 

(Signed,)  J.  P.  BENJAMIN, 

Acting  Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  40.) 

New  Orleans,  April  1,  1862. 

President  Davis,  Richmond : 

I  purchased,  eight  mouths  ago,  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty  (1880) 
rifles,  and  thirty  thousand  (3t),()l)U)  cartridges,  and  have  just  suc- 
ceeded, after  infinite  trouble,  and  over  sixty  thousand  (6", 000)  dollars 
of  outlay,  in  having  them  landed  on  the  Florida  coast.  The^^  were  at 
once  seized  by  Governor  Milton,  and  I  telegraphed  they  must  be  sent 
to  me.  I  have  received  his  reply,  in  which  he  coolly  informs  me  he 
has  taken  one  half  (]),  and  your  Secretary  of  War  the  other.  This 
unpardonable  and  unparallelled  outrage  is  nothing  less  than  robbery, 
and  just  as  bad.  I  cannot  use  Louisiana's  money  to  buy  arms  when 
they  arc  to  be  seized  by  the  first  free-booter  that  meets  them.  I  have 
given  out  all  the  arms  I  had,  expecting  that  these  would  be  in  the 
Ltuids  of  my  own  troops.  Now  that  thirty-seven  sail  of  the  enemy 
are  in  the  river,  in  God's  name,  in  the  name  of  my  State,  I  ask  you 
to  order  them  to  be  sent  to  me  immediately. 

(Signed,)  THOMAS  0,  MOORE. 


112 

(No.  41.)  ^ 

New  Orleans,  April  1,  1862. 
J.  P.  Benjamin,  Richmond : 

Please  sec  the  dispatch  sent  the  President  to-day,  and  urge  the  for- 
vrarding  Louisiana  arms  to  me. 

(Signed,)  THOMAS  0.  MOORE. 


(No.  42.) 

Richmond,  April  2,  1862. 
Governor  Moore,  Neto  Orleans  : 

I  was  not  aware  that  the  arms  in  the  hands  of  Governor  Milton 
belonged  to  the  State  of  Louisiana.  One  half  of  them  sent  to  Pen- 
sacola  have  been  ordered  to  be  placed  subject  to  your  order,  and  I 
have  requested  Governor  Milton  to  make  the  same  disposition  of  the 
remainder.  He  took  them,  supposing  that  they  were  arms  given  him 
by  Mr.  Benjamin,  when,  in  fact,  they  were  part  of  a  different  cargo. 
I  did  not  know,  until  Mr.  Benjamin  informed  me  of  it,  that  the  arms 
.held  by  Governor  Milton  were  a  part  of  the  cargo  of  the  Florida.  Col. 
T.  M.  Jones,  commanding  at  Pensacola,  will  communicate  to  you  the 
arrival  of  the  arms  at  that  place. 

(Signed,)  G.  W.  RANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  War. 


(No  43.) 

TELEGRAM. 

New  Orleans,  April  4,  1862. 
President  Davis  : 

Can  you  get  guns  and  ammunition  that  came  by  Florida.     Is  pos- 
sible they  were  seized  by  Secretary  of  War. 

(Signed,)  THOMAS  0.  MOORE, 

Governer, 


(No.  44.) 

TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  April  5,  1862. 
Governor  T.  0.  Moore,  New  Orleans,  La.  : 

*      *      *      *      The  mistake  of  Governor  of  Florida  has  been  cor- 
rected, and  arms  are  reported  to  be  en  route  to  you. 

(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 

A  true  copy, 

Burton  N.  Harrison, 

Private  Secretary, 


113 
(No,  45.) 

TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  April  10,  1862. 

To  the  Governors  of  Mississippi^  Louisiana^  South  Carolina,  Georgia  and 
Alabama : 

General  Beauregard  must  have  reinforcements  to  meet  the  vast  ac- 
cumulation of  the  enemy  before  him.  The  necessity  is  imminent ;  the 
case  of  vital  importance.  Send  forward  to  Corinth  all  the  armed  men 
you  can  furnish. 

(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


(No.  46.) 

t 

TtLEGRAM. 

New  Orleans.  April  11,  1862. 
Jefferson  Davis  : 

Can  troops  be  armed  if  I  send  them  ?     I  have  no  arms  here  except 
those  General  Lovell  thinks  "we  should  keep — those  just  received'from 

x^PTl  ^3.0  Oil 

(Signed,)        ,  THOMAS  0.  MOORE. 


(No.  47.) 


telegram. 


I  '  Richmond,  April  II,  1862. 

Gevernor  T.  O.  Moore  : 

No  arms  to  furnisk.  You  vrill  not  fail  to  appreciate  the  necessity 
^hich  caused  the  application  to  you.  If  you  could  spare  armed  troops 
for  a  few  weeks,  they  might  then  be  returned  to  you. 

(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 

A  true  copy. 

Burton  N.  Harrison, 

Private  Secretary. 
8' 


114 

(No.  48.) 

New  Orleans,  April  II,  1863. 
O.  W.  Randolph,  Secretary  of  War,  Bichmond  : 

Governor  Milton  will  not  forward  my  guns.  John  Leeds,  my  agent, 
has  been  waiting  at  Columbus,  Ga.,  one  week.  Order  them  sent.  I 
am  greatly  annoyed. 

(Signed,)  THOMAS  0.  MOORE. 

Governcr  of  LcuiAana. 


(No.  49.)  ^ 

Richmond,  April  14,  18G2. 
Governor  Moore,  New  Orleans: 

I  have  telegraphed  to  Governor  Milton  to  deliver  the  arras  to  your 
agent  on  his  exhibiting  his  authority  from  you,  and  identifying  the 
arms  as  the  property  of  Louisiana.  If,  however,  the  arms  were  ori- 
ginally taken  by  the  agents  of  the  Governor  of  Florida,  and  not  by 
our  own,  we  have  no  control  over  them.  Under  the  circumstances  of 
the  landing,  it  was  impossible  to  distribute  the  cargo  at  the  time. 
Signed,  G.  W.  RANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  War. 


(No.  50.) 

TELEGRAM. 

New  Orleans,  April  17,  1SG2. 


President  Davis 


Forts  bombarded  an  hour  and  a  half  yesterday.  General  Dun- 
can telegraphs  none  of  our  guns  will  reach  them.  Com.  Whittle  has 
orders  from  Secretary  Navy  to  send  the  Louisiana  to  Tennessee. 
Duncan  and  Higgins  both  telegraph  she  is  absolutely  a  necessity  at  the 
forts  for  the  safety  of  New  Orleans,  and  that  it  is  suicidal  to  send  her 
elsewhere.  With  the  enemy's  plan  of  attack  our  safety  may  depend 
apon  her  timely  arrival  there.  I  earnestly  beg  her  destination  may 
be  changed,  and  protest  against  her  being  sent  up  the  river.  Excite- 
aaent  among  the  people  great  on  the  subject, 
(Signed) 

THOS.  0.  MOORE, 
Governor  of  Louisiana. 


t 


115 

(No.  51.) 

TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  April  17,  1862. 


ov.  T.  0.  Moore  : 
A  dispatch  was  sent  yesterday  to  General  Lovell  on  the  subject  of 
the  attack  on  the  forts  below.     His  answer  was  required  in  connec- 
tion with  the  question  proposed  by  you. 

The  wooden  vessels  are  below ;  the  iron  gunboats  arc  above.     Tho 
forts  should  destroy  the  former  if  they  attempt  to  ascend. 

The  Louisiana  may  be  indispcnsabb  to  check  the  descent  of  the 

iron  boats.     The  purpose  is  to  defend  the  city  and  valley;  the  only 

question  is  as  to  the  best  mode  of  effecting  the  object.     Military  men 

mast  ^cide;  and  to-day  their  discretionary  power  has  been  enlarged. 

(Signed,) 

JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 
A  true  copy. 

Burton  N.  H.vrrison, 

Frivaie  Secretary. 


(No.  52.) 

telegram. 

New  Orleans,  April  24,  1862. 
Jefferson  Davis,  President : 

Enemy's  ships  passed  the  forts  this  morning,  after  several  days' 
bombardment. 

(Signed,)  THOS.  0.  MOORE.' 


(No.  53.) 

telegram. 

Richmond,  Va.,  April  24,  1862. 
Governor  T.  0.  Moore  : 

*******  Your  dispatch  in  relation  to  enemy's  ships 
this  day  received.  I  am  in  hopes  that,  while  the  fort^ivide  the  fleet, 
tho  Louisiana  will  not  lose  the  opportunity.  In  painful  anxiety  wait 
further  int^ligence. 

(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS, 

A  true  copy. 

Burton  N.  Harrison, 

Private  Secretary. 


116 

(No.  54.) 

GOVERNOR  MOORE  TO  THE  PRESIDENT. 

OpELOusis,  May  21,  1862. 
President  Davis  : 

Dear  Sir:  Orders  have  already  been  issued  by  my  Adjutant  Gene- 
ral for  the  enrollment  of  conscripts,  and  notice  has  been  given  that 
the  two  camps  will  be  at  Monroe  and  this  place,  but  as  I  have  already 
informed  you,  there  will  be  no  tents  or  provisions  at  either  of  them  until 
you  send  them.  Should  any  conscripts  reach  the  camps  before  these 
things  are  provided,  they  will  have  to  return  home.  I  am  stripped  of 
everything  I  have — guns,  munitions,  forces  and  commissary  stores. 

I  must  express  my  great  regret  that  martial  law  could  ftot  be 
declared  in  the  Parishes  indicated  to  you ;  if  it  had  been  done,  and 
the  Provost  Marshals  appointed  by  you,  much,  very  much,  serious 
trouble  would  have  been  avoided.  It  was  not  to  be  expected  that  I 
would  ever  again  consent  to  the  proclamation  of  martial  law  by  Gen- 
eral Lovell,  after  the  urgent  and  persistent  complaints  I  made  to  you 
of  the  action  of  his  Provost  Marshals  which  received  his  silent 
acquiescence,  if  not  his  open  approval.  A  part  of  my  State  is  now 
in  possession  of  our  ruthless  enemy — the  remainder  is  a  prey  to 
internal  dissension  and  the  perils  of  demoralization  produced  by  thel 
disorganized  condition  of  the  Confederate  forces,  while  there  is  not  a 
Confederate  oflBcer  in  the  whole  of  the  State,  except  a  single  Parish 
(St.  Helena)  bordering  the  State  line.  1  have  sent  more  than  thirty 
thousand  men  into  the  field,  every  one  fully  armed  and  equipped, 
besides  emptying  the  arsenal  I  seized  for  the  benefit  of  neighboring 
States,  with  my  own  have  clothed  them  since  they  have  been  there, 
have  given  all  the  arms  I  bought  to  Confederate  troops,  and  have  now, 
in  this  our  calamity,  not  an  ofiicer  to  advise  with  or  a  man  to  execute 
an  order.  I  beg  that  a  general  may  be  assigned  to  whatever  depart- 
ment Louisiana  may  be  placed  in,  very  soon. 

A  steamer,  (name  not  known,)  reached  Grand  Caillon  on  the  night 
of  the  7th,  with  three  hnndred  and  fifty  thousand  pounds  powder  and 
four  thousand  five  hundred  rifles.  The  Federals,  duly  informed  of  it 
by  telegraph,  which  has  not  been  cut  from  Terrebonne  to  New  Orleans, 
came  by  Opelousas  railroad,  which  has  not  been  interrupted,  and  took 
possession  of  her  on  night  of  the  8th.  A  party  of  determined  citizens 
started  on  the  10th  to  recapture  her.  Eight  hundred  Federals  were 
sent  out  from  New  Orleans  and  secured  her,  and  have  sent  her  to  the 
city.  They  have  taken  with  them  sixteen  citizens,  four  of  whom  they 
threaten  to  han^  declaring  they  are  not  prisoners  of  war,  but  persons 
taken  in  rebellion  svice  the  authority  of  the  Union  has  been  restored. 
The  fort  at  Grand  Caillon  had  been  evacuated  on  the  27tTi  April  by 
order  of  General  Lovell — the  guns  spiked,  and  the  powder  thrown  into 
the  bayou.  Eleven  days  after,  the  enemy  made  their  first  appearance 
there.  This  is  the  manner  in  which  all  our  forts  (of  course  I  do  not 
include  Jackson  and  St.   Philip)  were  evacuated.     There  was  not  a 


117 

jTankee  near  one  of  tlicm  until  more  than  a  week  after  the  powder  was 
llll  destroyed,  and  the  interior  of  fort  burned— ample  time  was  had  to 
have  saved  the  guns  as  well  as  powder,  etc.  ^If,  for  these  acts,  some 
of  the  officers  are  not  cashiered  or  shot,  we  need  not  expect  either  a 
brave  or  a  discipliued  army.  The  navy  emulated  this  conduct  of  the 
army— the  fleet  in  Pontchartrain  being  run  up  the  bayous  and  scut- 
tled or  burnt. 

It  is  absolutely  necessary  that  some  steps  should  be  taken  to  stop 
the  incursions  of  the  enemy  in  the  lower  part  of  the  State.  The  only 
means  I  now  have  is  to  organize  bands  of  Partisan  Rangers.  If  I 
wait  for  Captains  to  apply  through  General  Lovell  to  Secretary  of 
War,  the  delays  will  be  ruinous,  and  I  therefore  have  given  to-day 
authority  to  Ctptain  Goode  to  raise  a  company  of  rangers  for  opera- 
tion in  Terrebonne.  I  shall  grant  similar  privileges  to'such  others  as 
circumstances  may  suggest,  and  shall  report  all  of  them  to  Secretary 
of  War,  who  I  hope,  will  confirm  these  authorizations. 
I  am,  very  respectfully,  etc.. 
(Signed,)  THOMAS  0.  MOORE,  Governor. 

Upon  this  letter,  the  following  endorsement  was  made  by  the  Presi- 
dent : 

**  Secretary  of  War  for  special  attention.     Call  on  General  Lovell 
for  report  as  to  fort  at  Grand  Caillon. 

J.  D." 


(  No.  35.) 


C.  S.  A.,  War  Djipartment,      ) 
Richmond,  June  10,  1S62.  \ 

Major  General  M.  Lovkll,  Camp  Moore,  Tangipola,  La.: 

General:  Your  attention  is  respectfully  called  to  the  annexed  copy 
of  a  letter  received  from  a  person  in*  Louisiana,  in  regard  to  the  evao- 
uation  of  the  forts  at  G:and  Caillon,  and  you  are  requested  to  report 
to  this  department  the  facts  of  the  case. 
Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  GEO.  W.  RANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  War. 

[  The  enclosure  was  a  paragraph   from  the  foregoing  letter  of  Gov- 
ernor Moore.]  * 


118 

(No.  56.)  * 

GEN,  LOVELt  TO   THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR. 

Confederate  States  of  America,  ^ 

Headquarters  Department  No.  1 ,  s 

Jackson,  Miss.,  19th  June,  1862.  ) 

Gen.  G,  W.  Randolph,  Secretary  of  War,  Richmond,  Va.  : 

General:  In  reply  to  your  letter  of  tlie  10th  instant,  requesting 
the  reasons  for  evacuating  Fort  Quitman  on  the  Bayou  Grand  Caillon, 
I  have  to  state  that  it  was  a  little  earthwork,  with  two  smooth  bore 
thirty-two  pounders,  established  by  me  to  prevent  ingress  for  maurad- 
ing  purposes  by  the  enemy  in  small  vessels,  through  the  Caillon  and 
other  inlets,  into  the  Southern  parishes  of  Louisiana.  The  fall  of 
New  Orleans  laid  open  the  route  to  those  parishes,  and  as  the  troops, 
stationed  in  the  fort,  were  supplied  from  the  city,  and  were  at,  any 
moment  liable  to  be  taken  in  rear  and  captured  by  way  of  theOpelousas 
railroad,  which  was  in  the  enemy's  hands,  I  ordered  the  guns  to  be  spiked 
and  the  garrison,  (a  small  company  of  twelve  months'  volunteers,)  to 
bring  away  their  small  arms,  the  ammunition,  and  the  stores,  and  to 
rejoin  me  at  Camp  Moore.  The  enemy  did  not  go  down,  it  is  true, 
for  some  days,  but  they  could  have  gone  at  any  hour  and  any  day  and 
taken  the  men,  with  their  arms,  which  I  was  anxious  to  preserve.  The 
order  I  gave  was  not  obeyed.  Instead  of  joining  me  at  Camp  Moore, 
the  men  mutinied  and  disbanded  and  both  officers  and  men  returned 
to  New  Orleans.  It  would  be  well,  as  your  correspondent  suggests, 
to  punish  the  officers,  but,  as  they  are  now  in  New  Orleans,  such  a 
8tep  is  impracticable. 

A  glance  at  the  map,  which  I  sent  to  the  department  some  tnonths 
ago,  will  show  that  after  the  city  fell,  the  little  works  on  the  coast 
must  be  abandoned,  being  altogether  unnecessary. 

The  report  of  the  cargo  of  the  vessel  and  her  capture,  as  in  all 
other  instances,  is  grossly  exaggerated.  Some  few  citizens  fired  upon 
two  or  three  Federals.  In  retaliation,  a  number  of  them  were  taken 
prisoners  and  threatened  with  death  if  they  did  not  produce  the  par- 
ties who  had  committed  the  act,  but  the  penalty  was  not  inflicted. 

I  had  no  force  to  protect  the  people  in  that  district  of  country,  but 
sent  an  officer  to  raise  a  partizan  corps  for  that  purpose,  yet  the 
prominent  citizens  earnestly  entreated  that  the  corps  should  not  be  raised 
there,  unless  I  could  send  a  large  body  of  troops  to  protect  them  from 
the  additional  outrages  to  which  they  would -be  subject  from  the  Yan- 
kees, for  having  raised  such  a  corps.  Having  no  large  force  to  send, 
and  objections  being  raised  to  a  small  one,  I  countermanded  the 
order. 

The  fact  is,  that  that  part  of  the  country  is  inhabited  by  two  classes 

•  of  people  ;  the  rich,  fearful  of  their  property  and  not  anxious  to  resist 

unless  supported  by  an  army  in  every  parish  ;  and  the  poor,  miserable, 

mixed  breed,  commonly  called  Dagos  or  Acadians,  in  whom  there  ia 

.  not  the  slightest  dependence  to  be  placed.     I  gave  authority  to  seve- 


119 

ral  persons  to  raise  partizans  there,  but  they  met  with  no  success. 
When  I  urged  that  the  bridges  over  the  raih-oad  be  destroyed,  a  parish 
delegation  entreated  that  it  be  not  done,  as  it  would  bring  down  upon 
them  Yankee  vengeance;  they  would  only  consent  to  assist  on  con-, 
dition  that  I  should  send  a  large  body  of  troops  there.  Moreover,  if 
the  railroad  had  been  destroyed,  the  stage  of  water  was  such  that  free 
access  could  have  been  had  to  Thibodeux  through  Bayou  Lafouche. 
I  therefore  concluded,  at  the  request  of  many  of  the  most  influential 
citizens,  to  delay  operations  until  the  subsiding  water  should  have  de- 
prived the  enemy  of  the  means  of  entering  the  interior  at  pleasure. 
Had  a  contrary  course  been  pursued,  the  whole  country  would  have 
been  devastated,  without  a  possibility  of  preventing  it.  Nine  out 
of  every  ten  persons  from  that  part  of  the  country  warmly  approved 
of  my  decision. 

I  trust  that  the  department  will  not  give  ear  to  the  many  false  and 
absurd  rumors  that  are  set  afloat  by  persons  who  think  there  should  be 
an  army  stationed  on  every  plantation  for  its  protection.  1  am  satis- 
fied that  our  present  condition  is  to  bo  attributed,  in  a  great  measure, 
to  the  fact  that  we  have  followed  this  plan  too  much  already,  dispers- 
ing, instead  of  concentrating  our  troops,  and  thus  rendering  them  an 
easy  prey  to  the  enemy. 

Very  respectfully^ 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  M.  LOVELL, 

Major  General  commanding. 

Upon  this  letter  the  following  endorsements  were  made,  viz  : 
By  The  Secretary  of  War  : 

**  Respectfully  submitted  to  the  President  for  his  information. 

"  G.  W.  RANDOLPH, 
*'  Secretary  of  War^ 

By  The  Pre.sident  : 

**  Read — it  might  be  well  to  furnish  the  complainant  with  a  copy  of 
this  reply.  The  abandonment  of  the  fort  was  a  necessary  consequence 
of  the  fall  of  New  Orleans  and  the  subsequent  events.  Whether 
it  was  possible  to  save  the  armament  for  use  elsewhere,  was  a  ques- 
tion which  the  commanding  general,  of  course,  duly  considered.  As 
he  established  the  post  under  the  discretionary  power  conferred  en 
him.  The  application  of  his  remark  about  the  error  of  dispersion  is  not 
perceived. 

"J.  D." 


Slkl^ 


INDEX. 


Letter  of  Governor  Moore  to  President,  September  20,  1861 — Encloses 
resolution  of  Legislature;  asks  for  General  Officer  to  command. 
No.  L 93 

Letter  of  Governor  Moore  to  Secretary  of  War,  September  22,  1861 — 
Expecting  commanding  officer;  small  arms  in  Cuba;  wants  salt- 
petre.    No.  2,  -------        94: 

Letter  of  Governor  Moore  to  Secretary  of  War,  September  22,  1861 — 

officers  and  saltpetre.     No.  3,  -  -  -  -  -        95 

Telegram  of  Secretary  of   War  to    Governor  Moore,  September   22, 

1861 — Answer  to  above.     No.  4,     -  -  -  -  -         95 

Letter  of  Oovernor  Moore  to  Secretary  of  War,  September  25,. 1861  - 

Seizing  pork.     No.  5^  >__---        95 

Letter  of  Secretary  of  War  to  Governor  Moore,  September  25,  1861  - 

Answer  to  above.     No.  6,    -  -  -  -  -  -        96 

Dispatch  of  Secretary   of   War    to    Governor    Moore,    September    25, 

1861 — Cannon  powder  and  saltpetre.     No.  7,  -  *  -        96 

Letter  of  President  to  Governor  Moore,  September  26,  1861 — Answer 

to  letter  of  20th  September.     No.  8,  -  -  -  .96 

Dispatch   of   Governor    Moore  to    Secretary  of  War,   September    27, 

1861— Seizing  pork.     No.  9,  -  -  -  -  -        97 

Dispatch   of   Governor   Moore   to   Secretary  of   War,  September   28, 

1861 — Want  guns;  seizing  pork.     No.  10,  -  -  -        97 

Dispatch  of  Governor  Moore  to  Secretary  of  War,  September  29, 
f  1861 — Seizing  pork;  muskets.     No.  11,       -  -  -  -        97 

Letter  of  Governor  Moore  to  Secretary  of  War,  September  29,  1861 — 
Wants  arms  for  men  in  camp;  progress  of  fortifications;  wants 
officers;  clothing  for  troops  ;  arms  from  Europe.    No.  12,  -        98 

Dispatch    of  Secretary  of  War    to    Governor   Moore,    September  30, 

1861 — Against  seizing  pork.     No.  13,         -  -  -  -         99 

Dispatch  of  Secretary  of  War  to  Governor  Moore,  September  30, 
1861 — Acknowledges  telegram  about  arms  and  generals:  full  in- 
formation in  two  or  three  days,     No.  l-t    -  -  -  -        99 

Letter  of  Secretary  of  War  to  Governor  Moore,  October  13,  1861 — 
Answer  to  letter  September  29;  General  Lovell  assigned  to  com- 
mand;  powder,  saltpetre  and  clothing.  No.  15,     -  -  -       100 

Dispatch  of  Governor  Moore  to  Secretary  of  War,  October  14,  1801  — 

Wants  muskets.     No.  16,     -  -  -  -  -  -       100 

Dispatch  of  Secretary  of  War  to  Governor  Moore,  October  16,  1861 — 

Reply  to  above.     No.  17,      -  -  -  -  -  -       100 

Dispatch  of  Governor  Moore  V">  Secretary  of  War,  October  23,  1861 — 

Wants  Pearson  to  drill  troops.     No.  18,     -  -  -  -       101 

Dispatch  of  Secretary  of  War  to  Governor  Moore,  October  26,  1861 — 

Reply  to  above'.     No.  19,      -  -  -  -  -  -       101 

Dispatch  of  Governor  Moore  to  Secretary  of  War,  November  8,  1861  — 

Powder  mill  ready ;  no  saltpetre.     No.  20,  _  _  -       Id 


122 

Dispatch  of  Secretary  of  War  to  Governor  Moore,  November  8,  1861 — 

Shipment  of  saltpetre  Why  not  received  ?     No.  2!,  -  -       101 

Letter  of  Governor  Moore  to  Secretary  of  War,  December  2,  1801 — 
I.  A.  Stevenson ;  Commander  Ilollins  ;  Naval  matters  in  New 
Orleans.     No.  22,      -  -  -  -  -  .  -       102 

Dispatch  of  Governor  Moore  to  Secretary  of  War,  January  11,  1562 — 

Asks  return  of  13th  Louisiana  regiment,     No.  23,  -  -       102 

Letter  of  Governor  Moore  to  Secretary  of  War,  January  31,  18G2 — 

Steamers  to  Havana  for  arms,  etc.    No.  24,  -  -  -      103 

Dispatch  of  Governor  Moore  to  Secretary  of  War,  February  15,  1802— 

Liability  of  foreign  residents  to  militia  duty.     No.  25,     -  -       103 

Dispatch  of  Secretatry  of  War  to  Governor  Moore,  February  16. 1862— 

Ans\ver  to  last.     No.  26,      -  -  -  -  -  -       104 

Letter  of  J.  P.  Benjamin  to  Governor  Moore,  February  24, 1862 — Ar- 
rangements for  arms  in  West  Indies.     No.  27,       -  -  -       104 

Dispatch  of  Governor  Moore  to  Secretary  of  War,  February  20,  1862  — 

Volunteers  for  special  service.     No.  28,      -  -  -  -       104 

Secretary  of  War  to  Governor  Moore,  dispafch,  March  1,  1802— Reply 

to  above.     No.  29,     -  -  -  -  -  -  ■  -       105 

Letter  of  Governor  Moore  to  President,  February  26,  1862— Memorial 

from  Committee  of  Safety.     No.  30,  -  -  -  -       105 

Committee  of  Safety  to  President,  February  26,  1862— Navy  Depart- 
ment; condition  of  defences,  &c.     No.  31,  -  -  -       106 

Letter  of  Secretary  of  Navy  to   President,   March  8,    1802— Reply  to 

communication  from  Committee  of  Safety.     No.  32,  -  -       107 

Dispatch  of  Governor  Moore  to  Secretary  of  War,  March  4,  1862— 

Progress  in  raising  troops;  wants  arms.     No.  33,  -  -       109 

Dispatch  of  Secretary  of  War  to   Governor  Moore,  March  6,  1802  — 

Nashville  brought  no  arms.     No.  34,  -  -  -  -       110 

Dispatch  of  Governor   Moore  to   Secretary  of  War,  March  G,  1862— 

Raoul's  contract  for  gun  carriages.     No.  35,  _  _  -       110 

Dispatch  of  Secretary  of  War  to  Gov.  Moore— Reply  to  above.    No.  30.       110 

Dispatch  of  President  to   Governor  Moore,  March  33,  1802- Martial 

Law  in  certain  parishes.     No.  37     -  -  -  -  -       HO 

Dispatch  of  Governor  Moore  to  Secretary  of  War,  March  22,  1862— 

Arms  in  West  Indies.     No.  38,        -  -  -  -  -       111 

Dispatch  of  Secretary  of  War  to  Governor  Moore.     March  22,  1862— 

Reply  to  above.     No.  89,      -  -  -  -  -  -       111 

Dispatch  of  Governor  Moore  to  President,  April  1,  1802 — Arms  seized 

by  Governor  Mihon.     No.  40,  -  -  -  -  -     HI 

Dispatch  of  Governor  Moore  to  Secretary  of  War,  April  1,  1862— Same 

subject.     No.  41,       .------  -     112 

Dispatch  of  Secretary  of  War  to  Governor  Moore,  April  2,  1802 — Ex- 
planation in  reply  to  two  last.     No.  42,        -  -  -  -     112 

Dispatch  of   Governor    Moore  to  President,  April  4,  1862— Guns  and 

ammunition  by  Florida.     No.  43,      -  -  -  -  -     112 

Dispatch  of  President  to  Governor  Moore,  April  5,  1802 — Answer   to 

above.     No.  44,  -        ,    -  -  -  -  -  -     112 

Dispatch  of  President  to  Governor  Moore  and  others,  April  10,  1862 — 

Reinforcements  for  General  Beauregard.    No.  45,  -  -  -     113 

Dispatch  of  Governor  Moore   to  President,  April  11,  1862 — Reply  to 

above ;  can  troops  be  armed.     No.  46,  -  -  -  -     113 

Dispatch    of  President   to    Governor    Moore,  April    11,  1862— Reply  to 

above ;  no  arms.    No.  47,     -  -  -  -  -  -     113 

Dispatch  of  Governor  Moore  to  ::5ecrctary  of  War,  April  11,  1862 — Gov- 

nor  Milton  will  not  send  arms.     No.  48,       _  -  -  -     114 

Dispatch  of  Secretary  of  War  to  Governor  Moore,  April  14,  1862 — Re- 
ply to  above.     No.  49,  .__-__     114 

Dispatch  of  Governor  Moore  to  President,  April  17,  1802 — Bombard- 
ment of  Forts  and  attack.    No.  50,    -  -  -  -  -     Il4 

Dispatch   of  President  to  Governor   Moore,  April  17,  1802— Reply    to 

above.    No.  51,  _-__-__    115 


123 

Dispatch  of  Governor  Moore  to  President,  April  24, 1862 — Enemy  ships 

passed  forts.     No.  52,     ■        -  -  -  -  -  -     115 

Dispatch   of  President  to  Governor  Moore,  April  24,  1862 — Reply   to 

above.     No.  53.  _______     115 

Letter  of  Gov.  Moore  to  President,  May  51,  1862 — Affairs  in  Louisiana; 
wants  an  ofJiccr  assigned  to  that  Departmcnc;  evacuation  of  forts 
at  Grand  Caillon,  &c.     No.  54.  -  _  _  _  _     116 

Letter  of  Secretary  of  War  to  General  Lovcll,  June  10,  18')2 — Enclosing 
copy  of  paragraph  from  No.  54,  for  report  in  regard  to  Fort  at 
Caillon.     No.  55,         ------  -     117 

Letter  of  General  Lovell  to  Secretary  of  War,  June   10,  1S62-  Report 

on  evacuation  of  Forts  at  Grand  Caillon,  &c.    No.  5«,         -  -     118 

Endorsement  of  President  on  last,  -  -  -  -  -    119 


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